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Roseburg Public Schools Revises Reopening Strategy After Local Spike in Cases

(RPS)Nov. 10, 2020 – Roseburg Public Schools is revising our reopening plans in response to the recent significant increase in COVID-19 cases and test positivity rates in Douglas County. When the new metric standards were released by the Governor’s Office last month, it appeared that we would soon be able to welcome our fourth and fifth-grade students back to classrooms. Unfortunately, in the short time since, case rates in Douglas County have risen significantly. The latest weekly school metrics were released Monday by the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority, and, as expected, highlight a troubling trend of increased COVID case and test positivity rates. The data released Monday shows that Douglas County has shifted to what the state calls the “transition” phase. In this phase, we cannot add any grade levels to in-person learning and we must consider a transition to remote learning for all grade levels at this time. While we did experience a window for reopening to fourth- and fifth-graders, we believe that, due to the upward trend in COVID cases locally, the most responsible decision is to delay our plans for these grade levels. Numbers rose from 62.4 cases per 100,000 people to 108.7 cases per 100,000 in the most recent two-week period. Test positivity rates in Douglas County rose from 4.5% to 9.1%. The latest OHA metrics can be accessed by clicking https://bit.ly/3eKTau9 We have been eagerly anticipating a return for all of our students, but the state metrics and the local upward trend in cases means that we must hold off. We will continue to do everything possible to support our students and families through the challenges and opportunities that this school year presents while maintaining our focus on safety. In reviewing the latest metrics and considering the trends across the county, state and nation, Roseburg Public Schools is modifying our strategies for in-person learning by moving forward with the following plan: Cautiously maintain K-3 in-person learning at all schools, while continuing to offer a remote option for the families who chose this learning model. Delay the anticipated November 16 return of our fourth- and fifth-grade students until we see a decrease in cases, looking instead toward a December 7 target date. This will be dependent on our county once again meeting the threshold for returning to in- person learning (50 to 100 cases per 100,000). We will be closely monitoring the school metric data for trends in an effort to provide a two- to three-week window for any adjustments that need to be made prior to the December 7 target date for return. If the metrics are not satisfied by the date, we will adjust the return date accordingly. Continue remote learning for both middle schools and the high school through the end of the first semester, January 22. This date provides the consistency and predictability that our staff and community needs. If the metrics are met, hybrid instruction would begin on January 25. In the meantime, we will begin limited in-person instruction during the closure, per ODE/OHA updated guidance. We continue to work closely with the Douglas Public Health Network (DPHN) in making our decisions. DPHN is assisting our district in monitoring for potential COVID-19 spread within our elementary schools and the local community. Please continue to visit our website, www.roseburg.k12.or.us, for the latest information about our schools.