June 29, 2020
Dear NCSD Parents/Guardians:
I hope you are well and enjoying the first days of summer. Normally, North Clackamas Schools (NCSD) would not reach out to families so early into the summer break. However, I know you have questions about the upcoming 2020-21 school year, and I would like to update you on the status of NCSD’s planning process.
On June 10, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) released its Ready Schools, Safe Learners Guidance that outlines the requirements districts must address prior to reopening. This 50-page document identifies considerations in eight areas, including public health protocols, school operations, outbreak response, instruction, and more. ODE must approve school districts’ plans, called “Operational Blueprints for Reentry,” prior to reopening.
In response, NCSD formed thirteen workgroups that over the next two months will put the policies and procedures in place to reopen schools safely. These workgroups will take into account the enormous amount of feedback we’ve received from students, parents, and staff. We recently hosted a ThoughtExchange with families asking their thoughts about reopening, and the results of the exchange are here. Our immediate focus is selecting schedules for each level – elementary, middle, and high school. Workgroups are currently developing schedules that maximize face-to-face, on-site learning for all students. Operationally, the 2020-21 school year will likely be a hybrid that includes a combination of on-site and digital learning.
At this time, I expect the dates of the 2020-21 school year will not change from what NCSD has published previously. However, the specific school schedules have not been determined but should be available in early August.
NCSD’s Tentative Overall 2020-21 School Year Planning Timeframe
July 10 - Draft school schedules available for family and community comment
Week of Aug. 3 - Near-final school schedules released
Aug. 13 - NCSD’s Operational Blueprint for Reentry shared with NCSD school board
Aug. 14 - NCSD’s Operational Blueprint for Reentry submitted to ODE
Sept. 8 & 9 - Official start of the 2020-21 school year
I know there are many questions that are not addressed by this letter, such as the status of fall sports, the ability of volunteers and others to enter school buildings, how NCSD will manage social distancing, etc. Addressing these issues and others will be NCSD’s priority over the summer as the district develops its Operational Blueprint for Reentry. Please look for more information about reopening over the coming weeks, and I wish you an enjoyable and safe summer.
Sincerely,
Matt Utterback
Superintendent