From: Poole, Jamie
Sent: Wed Nov 04 14:22:19 2020
Subject: FW: Media advisory: Clackamas County schools remain in distance learning (Photo)
Importance: High
City EMs,
As discussed in our meeting yesterday afternoon, there was a bit of misinformation in the news about schools reopening. Please see the press release below for more information.
Thank you,
Jamie Poole
Outreach and Technology Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Clackamas County Disaster Management | 2200 Kaen Road, Oregon City, OR 97045
503-278-9150 (cell) | Jpoole@clackamas.us |www.clackamas.us/dm
From: Clackamas County <info@flashalert.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 2:15 PM
To: Poole, Jamie <JPoole@clackamas.us>
Subject: Media advisory: Clackamas County schools remain in distance learning (Photo)
Importance: High
Warning: External email. Be cautious opening attachments and links.
MEDIA ADVISORY: CLACKAMAS COUNTY SCHOOLS REMAIN IN DISTANCE LEARNING (PHOTO)
News Release from Clackamas County
Posted on FlashAlert: November 4th, 2020 2:14 PM
Downloadable file: Clackamas County COVID Status (11/2/2020)
According to the latest data (11/2/2020), all schools in Clackamas County must maintain comprehensive distance learning with limited in-person instruction for at least the next two weeks.
Some news reports stated last week that some Clackamas County schools may be able to reopen, in the wake of changes the state made to COVID-19 metrics. Using the most recent data released Monday, Nov. 2, Clackamas County must maintain comprehensive distance learning with limited in-person instruction for at least the next two weeks. (Oregon’s Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance explains in-person exemptions in detail; see page 17 of https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/healthsafety/Pages/2020-21-For-Families.aspx)
(Please view the attached image for a visual display of Clackamas County's status compared to the new school metrics.)
The metrics in place to guide opening schools to on-site learning are based on science. Once the county meets the criteria to reopen schools, individual schools make the actual decisions about their operations, learning mode, and timelines. And parents and families make their own decisions whether to send their children back to on-site learning.
An increase in-person learning will most likely lead to more COVID-19 cases
Parents and families should realize that any school that provides on-site learning could experience COVID-19 cases and outbreaks. Oregon public health rules require individual schools to be prepared to work with local public health officials in responding to cases and outbreaks and, if necessary, switch back to distance learning. Parents and families need to be prepared to return to distance learning, as well.
The best tools to protect individuals from COVID-19 remain physical distancing, face coverings and hygiene.
Contact Info:
Kimberly Dinwiddie, Clackamas County PIO, 971-219-7271
