Lebanon schools set to return | Local | lebanon-express.com

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Principal Joe Vore and fifth grade teacher Miranda Woody showed how to adapt the classroom to accommodate the return of students from Riverview Elementary School.

The electronic bulletin board in Woody's fifth grade classroom has not been updated since the state closed the school in March 2020 last year.

After nearly a year of online courses, Lebanese community schools have established a timetable for students to return to the classroom.

The process will start with students in kindergarten through third grade, who plan to resume face-to-face teaching on Tuesday, February 16. Students in the fourth and fifth grades, as well as the sixth grade students in elementary school, will return in February. twenty two

Senior students (junior and high school) will end the year with a combination of online and face-to-face teaching. Campus teaching will resume teaching for middle school students (grades 6-8) on March 1.

Freshman and sophomore students plan to resume teaching in person on March 8th, while juniors and juniors can return on March 15.

If the family chooses, students of all ages can continue to receive online-only education.

Dean Bo Yates said: "According to the indicators currently provided, it is moving forward at full speed." "So far, we have been following reasonable guidance. We will continue to do so, and if we reach the indicators, then we will continue and open the school. , It seems likely to happen."

Last December, Governor Kate Brown (Kate Brown) announced the policy changes of the Oregon Department of Education. The state government did not require the public or suspension of in-person teaching in the local school district, but turned to a consulting role. Although these decisions must still comply with state health policies, they are now made by each region.

Although the school district now has decision-making power, they must still pay attention to the local case rate. Counties with a COVID-19 incidence rate of less than 350 new cases per 100,000 will be approved. Yates said the directional interest rate trend is the key factor.

Yates said: "We may be at 350, if the trend goes down, we will continue to move forward, but if it is at 350 and trend up, then we may postpone things a week later and start from there."

The ratio in Lynn County is about 300.

Some members of the Lebanese School Board made it clear that they want to be as aggressive as possible. Tammy Schilling advocated returning to the classroom at the public board meeting on January 14.

"I have to be honest, I have no patience." Schilling said: "I give priority to students who are educated, and I personally think that they are not satisfied. "I have an area that I should promote, and that is children who need education. Not full, not busy, not child-rearing, but educated. And we completely failed. "

The first step for elementary school students this week. In the second semester, students will be divided into groups based on whether they plan to continue online education or plan to attend classes in person.

The school district has hired some additional teachers to lead some online courses. The purpose is to help students who have returned to the classroom familiarize themselves with their classmates and teachers.

When students do return to the classroom, their appearance will be different. Miranda Woody, a fifth-grade teacher at River View Elementary School, provided an example of how the classroom will change.

As she prepares for the students to return to their country, her classroom has 20 individual desks arranged to provide as much space as possible between each student.

"Usually, I will make pods, usually I have at least three large tables, so they are a table group, rather than individual tables. I tend to make flexible seats, so I usually have yoga balls, and I have many office chairs , Different types of stools, so they can choose and will not sit in these plastic seats all the time." Woody said. "I had to make a lot of changes and remove a lot of chairs."

According to state regulations, her classroom can accommodate 20 students. Usually, she will be able to accommodate more students. It is helpful for some families to choose to continue studying online. According to the latest parent survey, it is estimated that about 80% of Lebanese students will return to the classroom.

However, only 20% of people choose to stay online, which does reduce the number of students in each classroom and makes it easier to meet state regulations on separation.

"We will try our best to meet as many expectations as possible. I think we can accommodate the right number of desks in the right space here. But it's difficult. I don't want to measure the distance," Woody said.

It is one thing to provide each student with a separate table. Riverview principal Joe Vore said that maintaining social distancing will be a challenge for elementary school students.

"Fifth grade, they can almost stay in their own area. Kindergarten, I think we will have a difficult struggle. Kindergarten children like to hug each other, they like to touch things. For them, it will become more difficult. They are just at a different level," Vore said. "When they don't understand, it becomes more difficult to follow these rules."

Despite these challenges, Woody said that she knows that there is great enthusiasm for returning to class.

"This is the most information I hear from students. They can't wait to get back to school. They want to be able to meet and interact with each other, and be in the same space with each other rather than separate from each other." Woody said.

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