Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 13, 2020)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL SLSD from A1 County-wide, the positiv- ity rate must also be equal or below 5 percent and there must be 10 or fewer new cas- es per 100,000 people over a seven-day period. There are exceptions for students under certain cat- egories such as English-lan- guage learners, special ed- ucation students and those without internet access. Un- der these exception metrics, there must be a 5 percent or less positivity rate and fewer than 30 new cases per 100,000. For Lane County schools, the biggest issue is the state metric. Though the current county case rate is trending down with the positivity rate between 1 and 2, the state positivity rate remains too high for any school to open for general on-site opera- tions. ‘Return to Learning’ During Monday’s presen- tation, McCasline provid- ed insight into what SLSD’s “Return to Learning” blue- print would look like. Ultimately, the district aims to employ a hybrid model, which means a com- bination of in-person and online work. “So, we’re going to start with everyone online. But as soon as we can and are able, we’re going to bring students back to where they’ll be in that hybrid model,” said Mc- Casline. Beginning Sept. 1, teach- ers will engage in outreach by connecting with families in preparation for the up- coming online curriculum. Bed Liners & More On Sept. 21, online classes begin. When conditions are sat- isfactory, the hybrid model will see students return in cohorts (very small groups) with two days of in-school learning and three days on- line. In preparing students for the online model, about 800 Chromebooks have been checked out to families with another 500 requests to be filled. The district also has access to more than 100 hotspots, which will allow access for families with limited inter- net connectivity. There is likely to be an on- line-only option for students as well. In a survey conduct- ed by the district, 385 stu- dents out of about 1,500 re- spondents said that they are interested in the online-only Repair No Monkey Business! Bedliners • Truck Accessories 541-463-7939 LINE-X OF LANE COUNTY, INC. 745 RIVER AVE., UNIT E., EUGENE, OR 97404 • TRUCKGEAR.COM Dealers ve ties i t o m A uto pecial S Transmission Service & Repair Automotive Repairs • Maintenance Services Ã+Z\6 option. Families are still be- ing contacted as part of the survey. McCasline also spoke of the district’s approach to hy- giene. “In all of our buildings, there will be daily cleaning and disinfection,” said Mc- Casline, but noted that some areas would be disinfected several times a day, especial- ly between contact by differ- ent student cohorts. On buses, disinfection is planned between routes while keeping the vehicles well-ventilated with open windows. Offices and secretary desks will be equipped with plexiglass as a secondary protection measure. Face coverings are to be required for all staff and stu- dents, ages 5 and over, and recommended for those ages 2 to 5. Medical-grade per- sonal protection equipment will be provided as necessary and for students, multiple face coverings will be avail- able. “We’ve had some offers from the community mem- bers to make child and young adult masks that we could then wash nightly and have available for students as they get on the bus or come into the building,” said Mc- Casline. “That would allow us to clean them every night and have a fresh, sanitized mask for everyone, every- day, that aren’t just the paper masks.” | AUGUST 13, 2020 | 9A Training will be provid- ed by Lane County Public Health to bus drivers and staff working at entrances of the buildings in order to identify potentially infected entrants. Additionally, students will have assigned entrances to limit contact with others and an electronic tracing log sys- tem will keep track of those who enter the school. In terms of personal hy- giene, staff and students are encouraged to use hand sanitizer provided around campuses and six-foot so- cial distancing will also be expected. “We will be patient and understanding because it is totally against where they are in their growth and de- velopment,” said McCasline. He also noted there is a space limitation of one stu- dent per 35 square feet in any one area and capacity limits will be posted outside rooms. To whatever extent possi- ble, students will be restrict- ed from prolonged contact with as few people as possi- ble by staying in cohorts. Visitors will also be heav- ily regulated and no volun- teers are allowed. In the case of a suspected infection or the presence of COVID-related symptoms, there is an isolation room and the school nurse will as- sess the person in question with medical-grade PPE to determine the next course of Imagine The Difference You Can Make Tires DONATE YOUR CAR 1-844-533-9173 Gill'S GMC • Chevrolet • Chevy Trucks SALES & SERVICES 2775 Row River Rd 942-4415 FREE TOWING TAX DEDUCTIBLE TIRE & AUTO SERVICE Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm Sat: 8am-2pm | Sun: Closed Help Prevent Blindness Get A Vision Screening Annually Ask About A FREE 3 Day Vacation Voucher To Over 20 Destinations!!! 302 Hwy 99 S. • 946-3943 Repair NO MORE GUTTER CLEANING, OR YOUR MONEY BACK GUARANTEED! CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE MARVIN SMITH AUTO REPAIR 15 % INC • Computerized Diagnostics • Fuel injected Vehicles • Tune-Ups • Suspension • Brakes • Air Conditioning 518 Hwy. 99 S. • 942-7112 AND! OFF 109 Hwy. 99 S., Cottage Grove 942-4466 YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE * Promo Number: 285 1-855-536-8838 10 % OFF SENIOR & MILITARY DISCOUNTS + 5 % OFF TO THE FIRST 50 CALLERS! ** Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST )RUWKRVHZKRTXDOLI\2QHFRXSRQSHUKRXVHKROG1RREOLJDWLRQHVWLPDWHYDOLGIRU\HDU 2HUYDOLGDWHVWLPDWHRQO\CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 License# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# PA069383 6XRON+Ζ&/LFHQVH+ action. With a confirmed case, the district will follow the lead of LCPH and notify families, McCasline said. Educators then dove into the nuts and bolts of the new education model. Teacher Sandra Little pre- sented a how-to booklet for Google Classroom, which will inform students and families on how to engage classwork, upload home- work and contact teachers. Next, Al Kennedy High School educator Aimee Coo- per presented a tech guide for staff and administrators which aims to facilitate mak- ing distance learning pro- ductive and comprehensive. Librarian Janet Rust then presented an online curricu- lum template, giving insight into how classes may look this fall. “Basically, the classwork is what we’re focusing on and how to present it in a way that’s consistent through- out,” she said, adding that it would be a notable improve- ment from the kind of con- fusion that occurred in the spring. SLSD Special Education Director Chad Hamilton spoke to social/emotional needs. “[They are] very difficult when you’re distancing from one another, but it is definite- ly very high on our teachers’ minds as a very big need and as a result we’ve prioritized it,” he said. “In order to meet social/emotional needs, we need to see students and be with students.” Hamilton pointed out that bringing English-language learners, special education students and kindergarten- ers back to school as soon as metrics allow was an im- portant step. He also presented plans for educating students on topics such as empathy in- struction. More details of the plans are to be revealed to families in the days and weeks to fol- low. “We’re going to expect feedback and we’re going to build in some opportuni- ties for feedback,” said Mc- Casline. All of our coronavirus coverage is accessible online free of charge. We believe it is our duty as a local newspaper to make these critical updates and resources available to everyone in our community. We are proud of this role, and we appreciate your trust in us! While the need for local news has never been greater, community newspapers across the country are being forced to shut down, as ad revenues decline and operating funds run thin. In order to continue providing essential, fact-based, locally focused content to our community, we need your assistance. If you are able, we ask that you consider subscribing or making a tax-deductible donation to help keep your local newspaper running. We understand that these are diffi cult times for everyone, and every little bit helps. We are all in this together, and we thank you for your support! Local News – and Your Support – Matter Now More Th an Ever… Please Subscribe or Donate Today! Call 541.942.3325 or go to cgsentinel.com for details. S entinel C ottage G rove In Print & Online 541.942.3325 www.cgsentinel.com
