Dear LVCS Families, Thursday, February 4, 2021
I hope this finds you all healthy and well.
I know you have been eagerly awaiting communication regarding our plans for opening our schools. While it has been very helpful for students to come to school each day, and students have made progress academically and are benefiting socially, two hours isn’t enough time to provide the support they need. At this time our energy is focused on the goal of fully opening our schools. This letter will provide you with an important update about where we are in the process so that you can plan ahead for a schedule change.
LVCS Staff: The majority of our staff began getting vaccinated on January 27th. There is a second dose required in 28 days. Because healthy staff members reduce risk for your children, and your entire family, we believe we can safely open our schools by the week of Monday, March 8th.
Student Safety: Keeping students safe when we open is our highest priority. I want to assure you we will continue to offer and monitor the same rigorous safety mitigations throughout our schools that have been in place since we opened for Limited In-Person Instruction on November 2, 2020.
- Social distance
- Wear masks/face coverings
- Increase use of transparent barriers where needed
- Provide 35 square feet of space for every student and adult in each classroom.
- Use personal protective gear when indicated
- Consistent hand hygiene
- Bathrooms for each class
- Increased cleaning and sanitation
- Maximize airflow whenever possible
- Maintain classroom cohorts with limited interaction with other classmates
We will continue to follow Oregon Health Authority recommendations in all areas. If required by elevated metrics, we will offer on-site, non-invasive testing for staff upon request, and for students (Only if requested by parents).
Masks: For those who have concerns about their child wearing a mask for several hours, we will continue our practice of always providing mask breaks when requested for individual students as we have done during Limited In-Person Instruction. Because the day will be longer, socially distanced mask breaks will be included in the daily schedule.
Schedule for Reopening:
| Thursday, March 4th & 5th | No school so that teachers & support staff can prepare to welcome all students |
| Monday, March 8th | School opens for all students at Bridgeport and Pedee! |
Transportation: We have confirmed 7 busses to serve both schools, but that is still not enough to transport all bus riders at the same time and ensure social distancing. That’s the reason we have staggered schedules. We will share our routes with you as soon as we complete them and they are reviewed and approved by the bus company, Mid-Columbia. Note: If you are currently driving your child to and from school, and you want them to ride the bus or if your child currently rides the bus and there will be a change of address for pick-up and drop off – Please contact Cali Beasley: c.beasley@lvcs.k12.or.us or (503) 838-1933
| Bridgeport Elementary: 7:45-2:15 | Breakfast & Student supervision beginning at 7:35 |
| Pedee Middle School: 9:15-3:45
|
Breakfast & Student supervision beginning at 9:00 |
School Schedules: The following tentative schedule will be in place for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.
Food Services: When LVCS transitions back to an all-day school model, food services will have to transition back to normal operations. Fresh N’ Local Foods will offer meals that will have more variety and be served onsite. We will not be able to provide free lunch or breakfast for all. If you think your family would qualify for free and reduced meals, please fill out an application, which can be found by going to: https://lvcs.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/FREE-AND-REDUCED-APPLICATION-PACKET-2021.pdf
If you have any questions, contact Tammy Pryce at: t.pryce@lvcs.k12.or.us or(503) 623-4837
As we all look forward to fully opening our schools, I want to thank you for your patience and support throughout the many challenges created by the presence of COVID-19. I am deeply grateful that you have been good partners in trying to keep our schools open by not sending sick children (or students who been exposed to COVID) to school, and following safe practices at home.
We are proud of the fact that neither staff nor students have contracted this virus while at school. I believe that if safety measures are strictly enforced, our schools are a very safe environment. Children need to be in school for learning, but the social and emotional benefits are just as important. The predictability and structure of attending school in an engaging and nurturing environment fulfills that need.
Our entire staff is looking forward to welcoming all of our students back to school for a full day, and we are excited about rebuilding our school community!
As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Christy Wilkins
LVCS, Executive Director
(503) 623-4837
c.wilkins@lvcs.k12.or.us
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