Island City Elementary School

La Grande School District Update on Comprehensive Distance Learning, Limited In Person

Instruction, and K-3 education:

LGSD is pleased to provide an overview of what is taking place as we have reopened the school year.

Comprehensive Distance Learning:
The consensus from our district leaders and staff this school year is that we are off to a good start despite all the changes and technology demands associated with Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL). With almost three weeks in the books, attendance across the district exceeds 96 percent!

To date LGSD has loaned out more than 1,600 Chromebooks and over 250 hot spots; While there have been a few technology glitches here and there the district's IT department has been very responsive addressing the issues.
Please contact your student's teacher(s) for support. If you need additional support for technology needs, please call: 1-888-223-9593. You can also contact technology support by submitting a helpdesk request with this link: https://canvas.lagrande.k12.or

Principals and staff are working hard to provide scheduled, live, synchronous learning sessions and non-live, asynchronous learning opportunities for students as well. I have been in our classrooms and I have witnessed teachers and students engaged, communicating, learning and building relationships.

Our food service is also a work in progress as we are averaging about 450 meals a day and we are now serving breakfast and lunch combined with our grab and go meal. Meals are free for all children age 0-18 and meals are distributed at our elementary schools and offered for pick up from 11:30 to 1:00. Please take advantage of this program!

Limited In Person Instruction:
As at this time LGSD is serving grade K-8 students involved in our Day Treatment program and students involved in Drivers Education. By September 21, LGSD will start working with K-12 students that belong in our Structured Learning Center and Behavior classrooms. By September 28, the district will begin to serve English Language Learners, Special Education, and Title students that display additional needs for services on top of CDL. By October 12, the goal of the district is to offer limited in-person services to K-12 students that qualify for Talented and Gifted, take part in Career and Technical Education as well as those that are in need of social/emotional support or are in need of academic interventions.

High school sports are now open for training and conditioning for specific sports; A schedule that indicates which sports can skill develop at this time has been created by our high school as they are now approved to operate based on Oregon Department of Education (ODE) school reopening plans. Coaches are working with their athletic director for organizing their practices and following health guidelines.

K-3 In Person Education for Students in Kindergarten through Third Grade:
As it relates to K-3 Educational services, the district must consider the ODE state metrics as well as Oregon Health Authority: The metric criteria for K-3 in-person instruction is as follows:

• There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among school staff or students in the past 14 days.
• The case rate in the county is ≤30 cases per 100,000 population in the preceding 7 days for the past 3 weeks (9 or fewer cases for Union County).
• Schools fully comply with sections 1-3 of the Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance.
• The test positivity in the county is ≤5% in the preceding 7 days for the past 3 weeks.

Our school district is keeping a careful eye on metrics indicators and our goal is to bring K-3 students back to school starting the week of October 5, if possible. Where our district falls with case counts as well as test positivity rates will play a role in our reopening. If we do not have the ability to bring back K-3 on October 5, we will carefully be watching for the next closest Monday of the successive week. We will also seek to communicate to the public at least one week in advance so parents can adjust their childcare schedules and routines.

Additionally, LGSD has been working with the state to secure an exception that would allow K-3 to open if LGSD meets the county allowance for having less than 250 K-3 students in each elementary school. We are hopeful this exception will be allowed. Our district is actively working closely with Oregon Department of Education, Health department, Hospital, and County Commissioners to secure that exception and finalize the October 5th K-3 start date.

I will keep you posted as things change and wish you the very best. Thank you for partnering with the La Grande School District in ensuring our students get the best educational opportunities we can provide.

Be well,
George Mendoza