Good afternoon Richmond Staff and Community,

Thank you for trusting us with your precious children. We do not take this responsibility lightly and continue to create safe and nurturing spaces for all students to thrive.

Dear Community,

After careful consideration and in consultation with school principals, we are extending the temporary distance learning return date until Tuesday, February 1 for the following three middle schools: George, Harriet Tubman and Kellogg.

On Thursday, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) released graduation rates for the 2020-21 school year, with 84.4% of Portland Public Schools  students earning a high school diploma within four years, an impressive result and a steady increase for the 12th year in a row.

Dear Community,

We are so pleased to inform you that your school (see chart below) will return to in-person classes early next week. We realize that closing the campus and moving to temporary distance learning created challenges for families, but the dramatic rise in absences of staff and students fueled by the omicron variant of COVID-19 made it too difficult to keep the campus open safely.

Dear PPS Community,

On Monday, January 31, Portland Public Schools teachers and staff will have a day to collaborate and plan for the start of the second semester, with no classes held for students on that day. This comes after the PPS Board of Education, at a special meeting on Tuesday, unanimously voted to turn January 31 into a staff collaboration and planning day for school-based staff, creating an opportunity for school staff to work on campus-specific school climate plans and instructional practices to support the diverse needs of our students. 

The recent surge in cases due to the Omicron variant, compounded by the unrelenting and continued stress from this pandemic, has impacted all of us as individuals and as a collective society. Every sector continues to face challenges, and Portland Public Schools (PPS) is no exception. We know firsthand that navigating this pandemic is taxing, especially for our students who desperately need and deserve consistency, stability and access to in-person learning experiences. 

Dear Jefferson Community,

We are so pleased to inform you that Jefferson will return to in-person classes on Monday, January 24. We realize that closing the campus and moving to temporary distance learning created challenges for families, but the dramatic rise in absences of staff and students fueled by the omicron variant of COVID-19 made it too difficult to keep the campus open safely.

Dear PPS Community,

The PPS Board of Education will consider a resolution at an upcoming meeting to make Monday, January 31 into a school climate work day for school staff, with no classes held for students. 

Dear PPS Community,

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Multnomah County Health Department (MCHD) released new contact tracing and notification requirements for K-12 schools today:

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) produces yearly At-A-Glance School and District Profiles for schools and districts. These reports provide educators an opportunity to communicate directly with parents and community members about their schools and district.

Dear PPS Families,

Effective today, Thursday Jan 13, 2022, PPS will implement changes to athletics and a variety of activities in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 across our community:

Dear McDaniel Community,

We are so pleased to inform you that McDaniel will return to in-person classes on [date]. We realize that closing the campus and moving to temporary distance learning created challenges for families, but the dramatic rise in absences of staff and students fueled by the omicron variant of COVID-19 made it too difficult to keep the campus open safely.

Dear Cleveland Community,

We are so pleased to inform you that Cleveland will return to in-person classes on Tuesday, January 18. We realize that closing the campus and moving to temporary distance learning created challenges for families, but the dramatic rise in absences of staff and students fueled by the omicron variant of COVID-19 made it too difficult to keep the campus open safely.

Dear Alliance Community,

The rapid rise in COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant has contributed to a dramatic rise in absences of students and staff at Alliance. The ability to fully staff and safely operate our schools is a key factor that has resulted in the difficult decision to temporarily transition Alliance to distance learning.

Dear Kellogg Community,

The rapid rise in COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant has contributed to a dramatic rise in absences of students and staff at Kellogg. The ability to fully staff and safely operate our schools is a key factor that has resulted in the difficult decision to temporarily transition Kellogg to distance learning.

Dear George Community,

The rapid rise in COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant has contributed to a dramatic rise in absences of students and staff at George. The ability to fully staff and safely operate our schools is a key factor that has resulted in the difficult decision to temporarily transition George to distance learning.

Dear McDaniel Community,

We are so pleased to inform you that McDaniel will return to in-person classes on [date]. We realize that closing the campus and moving to temporary distance learning created challenges for families, but the dramatic rise in absences of staff and students fueled by the omicron variant of COVID-19 made it too difficult to keep the campus open safely.

School staff are excited to welcome students back on the regular school schedule.  Please see specific communication from the school team about welcoming students back for classes and other school activities.  

Our goal is to complete the school year with in-person classes, which have been proven to be a vital component of not only students’ ability to learn, but their social-emotional and mental health, too. Here is what you and your family can do to help keep in-person classes going:

• Make sure you students have proper, well-fitting face masks. Please see our recent message about masks.
• Get everyone in your household who is eligible (ages 5 and up) vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. Use the Oregon Health Authority’s vaccine and testing locator tool.
• Monitor your students for COVID-19 symptoms, and keep them home if they show any. 

One final note: As we moved some schools into temporary distance learning, we learned that some families were not aware of the news. We urge you to update your contact information through ParentVue or by contacting your school office. We also suggest that you opt-in to receive text messages from the district by texting YES to 68453.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please reach out to us via Let’s Talk.  We appreciate your patience as we navigate these difficult times together, as a community.

Margaret Calvert

Regional Superintendent, Portland Public Schools

Dear Cleveland Community,

We are so pleased to inform you that Cleveland will return to in-person classes on [date]. We realize that closing the campus and moving to temporary distance learning created challenges for families, but the dramatic rise in absences of staff and students fueled by the omicron variant of COVID-19 made it too difficult to keep the campus open safely.

Dear Faubion Community,

After careful consideration and in consultation with your school leadership, we are extending the temporary distance learning return date until January 21. While we recognize and prefer that every student be in an in-person environment, we made this decision to prioritize the health and safety of students and staff, as well as to better ensure consistent staffing available to safely operate the school. We continue to see high numbers of positive cases of COVID-19 in our community which is causing a continued rise in absences of students and staff.

Dear Ockley Green Community,

After careful consideration and in consultation with your school leadership, we are extending the temporary distance learning return date until January 21. While we recognize and prefer that every student be in an in-person environment, we made this decision to prioritize the health and safety of students and staff, as well as to better ensure consistent staffing available to safely operate the school. We continue to see high numbers of positive cases of COVID-19 in our community which is causing a continued rise in absences of students and staff.