School Reopening: FAQs from Our Community

Kids and COVID

Can children get COVID?

Yes, they can. In fact, there is an Oregon Health Authority webpage specifically designed to track pediatric case numbers. There were 31,394 cases of COVID-19 in people under 18 as of August 14, 2021, and numbers are on the rise.

Vaccines

Are vaccines required? 

All public and private school teachers, educators, support staff, and volunteers in K-12 schools must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18, or six weeks from U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, whichever is later, the Governor announced on August 19. 

How do children access vaccines? 

Please contact your healthcare provider, and look for clinics in the area. There are clinics in stores that provide pharmacy services as well like Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Fred Meyer.  You can also visit Get Vaccinated Oregon or call 211.

Masks

Are masks required? 

The Oregon Department of Education requires staff and students to wear masks in all indoor K-12 school settings. See Page 7 of the Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework for the 2021-22 School Year for details.

What has changed recently regarding face coverings?

The Oregon Department of Education announced on Tuesday, August 17 that it had updated the Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework, clarifying some mask rules. If a student won’t wear a mask, school staff can offer remote options but cannot teach them in person, new language in the framework says. For an overview of the change, visit the Oregon Schools Boards Association website.

Also, while it is true that Gov. Brown has issued a statewide outdoor mask requirement schools will follow a different rule, which includes changes such as requiring masks when indoors during school hours.  

If the majority of parents want no masks will everyone in a leadership position back them up?

It is very important that we view this decision as what is the best decision for our schools to serve all of our almost 1,800 students during these times. Our survey reveals that the vast majority of families want their children to return to school full time, five days a week with masks as long as they are required. And rules from the state, which carry the force of law, mean we cannot choose otherwise. 

Is there anything at this time about mask-wearing that is a local decision?

Not at this time. What decision we did have evaporated with the COVID-19 variant impacted health systems around the state. When we receive the updated guidance we are required to follow it as it carries the force of law. We cannot go against the rules. 

Will rules be different for kids who are too young for vaccines? 

There is an allowance for children under age 5 in preschool classrooms. They are not required to wear masks in school; however, they do need to wear masks on the bus. 

Will teachers not share their personal views about masking with kids?

Teachers will not share their personal views, but may answer students' questions about masks using official information. 

Bus riders: Do they have to wear masks?

Yes, this is a new federal transportation rule, which has the force of law, so we must follow this rule. This is true for transportation to and from athletic events as well. 

Mask and 3 feet, what will that look like?

Classrooms and shared space will be set up to help students maintain the “3 feet whenever possible” guidance. Students will have masks breaks outside during the day, and masks are not required to be worn while eating, or at recess or PE when exercising.

How do masks work? 

Masks help by protecting others from directly breathing in other people’s air vapor that can carry the COVID-19 virus.  When all people in an enclosed space wear masks, everyone is helping  protect others. It is one layer of protection. Along with hand sanitizer/hand washing, vaccines, and social distancing, it all adds up to protections that can keep kids in school. 

Will we provide masks?

We will provide masks for students and staff. 

Sports and masks: what is required?

The Oregon Health Authority guidance, which has the force of law, requires all spectators and adults to wear masks indoors.  Athletes in competition, or practice, do not have to wear masks while actively training or competing.

What about School Board meetings?

The same rule applies to School Board meetings, all people that attend must wear masks.

What about face shields? Medical accommodations for students?

Some students have medical exemptions and can wear face shields; adults can wear them along with masks.  Adults can also use masks with clear plastic around the mouth area so students can see their smile and see visual clues when needed. We will work to support students and provide medically required accommodations.

Students who choose not to wear masks — how will this be handled?

We received guidance in mid-August about this topic.  As we shared recently, students will be given opportunities to understand why the rules are in place. If students choose to not wear masks, even after chances to learn why masks are important and required  will be provided with optional learning opportunities. The updated rule, which carries the force of law,  says students in school must wear masks unless medically necessary, validated by a health care provider. 

Can we separate kids by masked and unmasked?

No. 

What happens if kids take off masks at school (headaches)? 

A child that is experiencing physical discomfort should visit the nurse. There are ways in which mask breaks can occur safely outside of the classroom. And breaks will occur. Your child's teacher will have that information.  

Is there an impact on socialization with masks?

Most students are very anxious about NOT being able to be in school, and there is mental health support available to students in schools.  Students need their teachers and counselors during times of stress and anxiety.  Getting kids back to school and keeping schools open helps students with needed socialization.

Hybrid/Online Options

Is there a hybrid option?

There is no hybrid at this time as all staff are needed to teach all in-person students full time. However, we are still determining needs.

Is there an online option?

We will continue with the Pearson programs we used last year for full-time online students. More information about this option will be coming soon. 

Are Chromebooks and Hotspots provided for online?

Yes to technology availability.  

Is there online tutoring for students who are enrolled in online programs?

If you need more assistance, please reach out to your child’s teacher and principal so they can assist. 

Academics

How to help kids catch up academically?

We are currently developing programs to help all students accelerate their learning so that they can catch up, and to earn missing credits at the High School, so they can graduate on time.

Questions Related to Social-Emotional and Mental Health

Is there an impact on socialization with masks?

Most students are very anxious about NOT being able to be in school, and there is mental health support available to students in schools.  Students need their teachers and counselors during times of stress and anxiety.  Getting kids back to school and keeping schools open helps students with needed socialization. 

What about Social Emotional Learning (SEL) supports? 

Yes, every staff and student member are receiving Social Emotional Learning, and it is part of our education program. Counselors are also available.

Staffing/Scheduling

What will lunch times look like?

It will vary from building to building, but we will follow required protocols. That information will be available soon.

Will school start on time?

Yes.

Will there be extracurricular in-person activities onsite supervised by staff?

Yes, as long as staff are willing to run these activities they will be available. 

Will all the children’s teachers be back?

As far as we know, they will. Occasionally, staff take jobs elsewhere and we need to hire new staff. 

How will info be shared with the community?

As we normally do: emails, website, social media, robocalls. 

Illness, Quarantine, COVID-19 Testing, Contact Tracing, Cleaning

What if students test positive?

If a student tests positive after symptoms appear, and was wearing a mask around others who were also wearing masks, then there is no need for other students to quarantine as long as the other students do not show symptoms. 

If children come to school sick, will you not allow them in the building?

Parents are required to screen their children before sending them to school. Students with symptoms of illness of any kind, like fever, should never be sent to school. Students who are sick will be sent to a quarantine room until they can be returned home, usually when a parent takes the students home.

How will the district monitor students’ health?

Anyone determined to have a fever will be sent home immediately. Any student or staff member who is feeling ill will be required to immediately visit School District Nurse Agnes Albert. Contact her at 503-678-7140 or agnes.albert@nmarion.k12.or.us. She will operate under a standard procedure for addressing situations in which an individual is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. The individual in question will remain at school in an isolated area until such time as the student can be taken home.

Are you offering testing? Without parent permission?

The Oregon Health Authority is revising guidelines now for testing, based on the new vaccine mandate for staff and volunteers in K-12 schools. More information will be available once the rules are revised. 

What will quarantines look like? How triggered? How long will they last?

Trigger: The Oregon Health Authority, the state's public health agency, notifies us if there is a significant outbreak in our school population. If they require us to quarantine a cohort of students, we notify families and complete the quarantine if necessary.  Students would continue learning at home during the quarantine. To keep students in school and minimize the chance for disruption of their education, masks and vaccines are the top two ways to minimize risk. Along with the other layers of protection, we can keep schools open as long as possible. 

What is contact tracing?

Contact tracing means calling people who may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 to provide guidance and support. It’s a key tool for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In Oregon, local public health authorities use contact tracing to prevent the spread of many types of diseases, like measles. Learn more from the Oregon Health Authority. See the document under Supporting Documents below for more information.

How will rooms be kept clean for students, surfaces, air ventilation?

We will use the protocols we have practiced all last year to ensure classrooms are ready and refreshed for students and staff. Masks and vaccines are the top protocols that keep others safe in a group setting. Hand washing, room cleaning and proper ventilation also provide additional layers of protection. 

Questions for Athletes and High School Students

Can athletes compete in other communities? 

At this time, yes. 

Will athletics be free?

No child that participates in our activities will be denied financial support if needed. Reach out to your building principal or the Athletic Director for assistance.

Locker use at the High School OK?

We are looking into that now. Stand by for an update.

Critical Race Theory

What is Critical Race Theory (CRT) and does our School District teach it?

Here is a definition of CRT from the Oregon School Boards Association:  “Critical race theory (CRT) has been around since the 1970s and refers to a broad collection of legal and academic topics that seek to understand and address inequality and racism in the United States. It is a tool primarily used at the university level to help students think critically about the impact of historical and present-day racism. CRT submits that bias is embedded within American culture and is systemic in our institutions, laws, and public policy. CRT posits this systemic bias is primarily responsible for the unequal outcomes evident in systems such as health care, education, employment, and the justice system. CRT seeks to explain why racial inequities exist in our systems and how these disparities might be eliminated.”

And no, we do not teach it. Please review the curriculum at each school if you have questions about our academic programs.

Standardized Assessments

What standardized assessments are used in the North Marion School District?

High School Assessments

How is learning assessed at North Marion High School? 

At the High School, we typically have assessed 11th-grade student proficiency using work samples in reading, writing, and math, and through the mandatory state assessment in English Language Arts and math.

The mandatory State Assessment in English/Language Arts and math for 11th grade is a standardized assessment that also assesses student proficiency in reading, writing, and math. It is still required this school year.

Until 2021, both the 11th-grade mandatory State Assessment and secure classroom-based work samples had satisfied the state Essential Skills requirement for graduation.

What has changed regarding the Essential Skills requirement and what does the change mean? 

Although Senate Bill 744 suspends the Essential Skills requirement through the 2024 school year, classroom work samples will continue to provide our high school students and teachers with progress toward meeting grade-level standards. 

In addition, North Marion High School is determining whether they will use state Interim Assessments as another tool in providing evidence of student learning toward the standards in reading, writing, and math. An interim assessment is designed to support teaching and learning throughout the year.

K-8 Assessments

How does K-8 do assessments?

The North Marion School District teaches the Oregon State Content Standards, in all K-12 classrooms. This year, we will implement Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP), which assess and monitor student progress toward meeting standards in the following areas:

• MAP Reading Growth in grades 2-5
• MAP Reading Fluency in grades K-5

In addition, Grades K-5 will implement a Number Sense screener, a tool to assess students’ proficiency in math standards. 

For K-8 math instruction, the iReady Diagnostic assessment is used to inform students and teachers about progress toward grade-level math standards.

These assessments will be completed three times throughout the year to determine where students are in their learning and to inform our instructional practices for moving learning forward. 

Assessment Types Used Throughout the School District

What else does the North Marion School District do to facilitate teaching and learning?

In addition to the assessments listed above, our district emphasizes formative assessment practices, sometimes called assessments for learning, which means they happen as the student is learning new content. Designed to support students in the moment-to-moment process of learning, these assessments happen every day throughout each instructional period. Teachers describe the learning goals and success criteria so students to answer these questions:

• Where am I going?
• Where am I now?
• Where to next?

What are a few examples of how a teacher can use formative assessments to improve teaching and learning?

Formative assessment practices include: 

• Creating clear learning goals;
• Creating clear criteria for all student work;
• Using tasks/activities that elicit evidence of student learning, coupled with higher-order questioning and discourse; 
• Using descriptive feedback; 
• Providing peer feedback opportunities;
• Completing a self-assessment;
• Fostering a collaborative culture of learning; and 
• Using evidence to inform instruction.

Wait, isn’t there another kind of assessment? How is it different?

Oregon State Assessments are summative, meaning they are assessments of learning and provide an overall assessment of how a student achieved proficiency to grade-level standards at the end of an academic year. State-level summative assessments are typically used for school accountability, program evaluation, and to estimate groups of students’ achievement levels. Students may opt out of the English/Language Arts and math state assessments, with parental permission.