KCSD & Me: Metrics update
Full-time transition still on track
April 7, 2021
Dear KCSD community,
It’s been a great week! We want to thank our families, students, and teachers for their patience and their efforts in helping schools transition to full-time schedules.
This message is to let you know that we are monitoring the recent increase in county COVID-19 metrics, and are working closely with Klamath County Public Health to ensure the district’s school communities are not at risk. (The case count over the last 14 days has put county metrics at more than 200 per 100,000.)
County health officials assure us there remains no identified spread within our schools, and their recommendation is for the Klamath County School District to continue bringing students back into classrooms full-time. Because the district has already operationalized and begun the process to return its junior high and high school students to full-time schedules the week of April 12, those plans may continue.
The Ready School Safe Learners guidance recommends use of an equity-based decision tool to address potential positive and negative impacts on students, families, and staff from all communities when making decisions. We believe changing the district’s plans at this time will adversely affect our students and families. Many students have struggled with distance learning, and returning to classrooms full-time will positively influence their studies as well as their mental and emotional health.
Our highest priority is the safety of our students and staff, and we are ready to take the steps needed if health officials determine it is no longer safe for our schools to continue full-time schedules.
We ask that everyone follow COVID-19 safety protocols – wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining social distance. We also are counting on our families to keep their children home when they are sick or when they have been directly exposed to the virus.
Again, thank you for all that you do to support our schools. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Respectfully,
Glen Szymoniak
Superintendent
Klamath County School District
Link: KCSD’s March 31 message about returning to full-time learning