Lucas Gage arrives by bus for the first day of in-person kindergarten at Richmond Elementary on Tuesday, March 2. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Oregon public schools will open full-time, five days per week for students in the fall under a set of draft guidelines released last week.
Salem-Keizer School District said earlier this spring they’re planning for full-time school in the fall, though an online program will remain available for students who want it.
The Oregon Department of Education is currently gathering input on the health and safety guidelines schools would operate under starting in the fall and expects to issue final rules by July 22.
Some Covid mitigation strategies will likely remain in place, including the use of masks in some settings.
State requirements that schools offer a certain number of instructional hours will also return. Schools won’t be able to hold students back a grade or limit their ability to participate in athletics or clubs based solely on their academic performance during the pandemic.
The guidelines also call for new rules for all-online schools, including a requirement that at least half of instructional time be offered live.
People can view the plan here and submit comments to [email protected] through June 10.
-Rachel Alexander
