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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (July 17, 2020)
PAGE A2, KEIZERTIMES, JULY 17, 2020 WINDOWS, CABINETS, APPL I ANCES, LUMBER, PLYWOOD, YES WE DELIVER! DOORS, FENCING, SIDING, FLOORING, INSULATION, & MUCH, MUCH MORE! B M B C BUILDING MATERIALS BARGAIN CENTER, INC. 775 FRONT STREET NE - SALEM - CALL US AT 503-363-9070 Distance learning 2.0 to rely on more teacher-student interaction High-risk teachers will get fi rst chance at instruction slots BY MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes The Salem-Keizer school board hosted their second work session of the month on Tues- day, July 14 regarding back-to- school planning in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Early in the meeting, Super- intendent Christy Perry com- mented that Gov. Kate Brown’s mandate from the previous day regarding limiting indoor gatherings of no more than 10 people won’t affect the district’s plans for in-person graduation ceremonies in August. Perry also mentioned that the recent mandate will not affect the district’s plan of us- ing a hybrid model in the fall, although she did say that plans could get changed later on if the district receives addition- al guidance from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). “Right now, we haven’t changed any of our planning,” Perry said. “Our goal and the direction right now is to do as much in person as possible.” “Whether it’s September or October or whatever month, a hybrid model is how we’re go- ing to get back to school.” On Monday, July 13, the district shared that they have developed a new, comprehen- sive all-online academy called Enhanced Digital and Guided Education (EDGE), which will look different than the dis- tance-learning model used in the spring. “The Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) EDGE pro- gram will provide students with high quality, rigorous and well-rounded learning oppor- tunities, including instructional supports, English language de- velopment support and more,” the district said in a press re- lease. The goal for the EDGE program is to pair teacher-led instruction with family-sup- ported and independent at- home application and learning while still staying connected to their school communities — trying to correct.” High school kids registering students enrolled in the EDGE program will still be registered as EDGE students also gives at the school they would have them access to Oregon School attended in person for the Activities Association (OSAA) sports and activities if they 2020-21 school year. keep their eli- “We real- gibility require- ized from dis- ments. tance learning The district that if you just hasn’t yet made put static in- accommoda- formation up tions for ESL on a website, students who but don’t have want to enroll a teacher ac- in EDGE, but tively guiding they are work- that learning, it ing to make doesn’t work,” that happen be- assistant su- fore the fall. per intendent Te a c h e r s Kraig Sproles — Kraig Spoles that feel like said in a pre- Asst. Superintendent they more at sentation to risk of contract- the board. “It ing COVID-19 is going to be will likely get digital, but it’s going to have a really high the fi rst crack at the initial teacher applications for the teacher component.” Grades will be given and EDGE program. “The most likely candidates regular attendance is required. Students won’t be allowed to for the EDGE program are do the EDGE program and teachers that are at-risk and would have diffi culty return- in-person learning. “Some of the things people ing,” said Jim Orth, the direc- struggled with in the spring tor of strategic initiatives for with distance learning was that the district. Students are able to opt out it was pass-fail and students might not have been engaged,” of the EDGE program and go Sproles said. “We heard from a into the hybrid model that is lot of parents that it was not as currently being planned for rigorous as students wanted, so the school year. Students can that has been something we’re also leave the program if the “We heard from a lot of parents that it was not as rigorous as students wanted.” district returns to all in-person learning later in the year. The current hybrid model that is being considered by the district would require kinder- garten, fi rst and second grade students to attend in-person classes Tuesday through Friday, with digital learning and sup- ports taking place on Monday. Students from third grade through high school would attend in-person classes Tues- day and Thursday or Wednes- day and Friday, with online instruction taking place on non-classroom days. Supports would be offered on Mondays. Since the last work session, it was determined by the dis- trict that the initial capacity for each in-person learning space would be 20 students per room in elementary schools, 23 students per room in mid- dle schools and 25 students per room in high schools. Sproles reminded the board that this is still a fl uid situation and that fl exibility will be re- quired in order to move for- ward. “There are so many parts of this that are still ambiguous, and it is really hard to move forward to try and gain cer- tainty where we can, but also live in that ambiguous state,” Sproles said. There will be a public hear- ing on Aug. 11 to confi rm a fi nal plan for the school year. We Didn’t Set The Bar WE ARE THE BAR! “ This community is beautiful and the whole staff is so attentive and caring! The atmosphere is engaging and respectful and it is so good to know that Mom is in such good hands. I would highly recommend this community to anyone! ” — HEIDI r ached t h e age of si i x t y -two. t ose who ha v e re v i n g f o r th Qual l i t y senior lil vi Come See the Finest in Senior Living! CALL (503) 390 -1300 1165 McGee Ct NE, Keizer, OR • www.VillageAtKeizerRidge.com North Santiam watershed seeking board members The North Santiam Water- shed Council (NSWC) Board of Directors is seeking poten- tial future volunteer Board members. The NSWC Board of Directors represent the di- verse interests and perspec- tives found throughout our geography – local landowners, land managers, businesses, rec- reation enthusiasts and natural resource advocates. The mission of NSWC is “providing opportunities for stakeholders to cooperate in promoting and sustaining the health of the North Santiam watershed and its communi- ties.” NSWC is seeking addi- tional Board representation from the following stakehold- er interests: Economic (timber, agriculture, aggregate, recre- ation and tourism or other business), natural resources, small cities in the watershed, Linn County (citizen at large, appointed by County Com- missioners), North Santiam Middle and Upper sub-basin and education. Previous Board service is not required, but experi- ence with or knowledge of non-profi t organization man- agement is a plus. Current Board committees include executive, governance, and fi - nance. NSWC is planning to create committees for com- munity engagement, fundrais- ing and education. Therefore, we are specifi cally seeking in- dividuals with experience, ex- pertise or an interest in these areas. For consideration, please email nswcboard2020@gmail. com. Then, NSWC will coor- dinate a brief telephone and/ or Zoom interview conversa- tion with the members of the NSWC Governance Com- mittee. Candidates will be reviewed on an ongoing basis for currently vacant positions.
