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2020-21 Fall Planning
August 7 Fall Schooling through COVID Update Highlights:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We appreciate your continued patience and attention to our fall planning updates.
Update on K - 3rd Grade: Due to the numbers and trends we see now, we will provide off-site only Distance Learning until November 6 for all grades K – 12.
Based on the guidance provided by the state last week in the ODE and OHA Community COVID-19 Metrics, the Ashland School District has made the decision to start school for all grades in a Distance Learning off-site only model through the first quarter of the school year. We will review data trends in October and reconsider a hybrid option for the second quarter.
Making this decision now allows families necessary time to plan and gives school staff time to focus on preparing a strong Comprehensive Distance Learning program for all Ashland School District students throughout the first quarter.
Improved Distance Learning
The administrative team is now working to solidify the daily/weekly learning schedule based on the Oregon Department of Education guidance for Comprehensive Distance Learning. The state has provided us with strong direction on how to improve the Distance Learning experience that aligns with the ASD hybrid model we planned in June. Some highlights from the ODE requirements include:
What is Canvas and how can I help my child using it?
We are also working quickly to solidify the districtwide plan to support teachers, students, and parents/guardians in learning how to use our new Learning Management System Canvas. A list of learning opportunities, tutorials, and tools will be offered soon.
School Calendar
As mentioned last week, the school calendar for the 2020-21 school year has been adjusted to allow for more professional development days at the start of the school year. The first day of school for all students is Tuesday, September 8, and the updated calendar can be found here: ASD 2020-21 School Calendar.
Challenges and Hopes
Our hope and efforts are to offer a safe return to campus when county and state metrics are consistently at or below state targets. We are very aware of the challenges Distance Learning presents to working families and to students who need social connection to learn well. We value your partnership in keeping our kids, teachers, staff and families healthy, and in making this an amazing year for learning and connecting as we move forward together.
The Oregon Health Authority released updated metrics for safe school opening on Monday, August 3. Jackson County has now reached a COVID-19 Case Rate of 42.5/100,000 and a Test Positive Rate of 5.6% as of the July 26 report, an increase from last week’s update. These numbers reflect a four-week increasing trend and now exceed criteria for grades 4-12 and K-3 on campus if they stay at or above their current level.
County numbers need to be below a Case Rate of 10/100,000 and a Test Positive Rate of 5% to bring all students on to campus. The state allows an exception for K-3rd grades and small groups if the case rate in Jackson County falls below 30/100,000 for three consecutive weeks.
For the week ending on July 26, we are above state thresholds and trending higher. The latest Oregon Health Authority county and state metrics are available here and are summarized below.
Thank you for your continued partnership,
Samuel
Samuel Bogdanove
Superintendent
Ashland Public Schools
Pronouns: He, Him, His
Katherine
Katherine Holden
AMS Associate Principal/Schooling Through Covid Coordinator
Ashland Public Schools
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
PREVIOUS UPDATES:
Letter from Superintendent Bogdanove - July 30, 2020
Letter from Superintendent Bogdanove - July 24, 2020
Letter from Superintendent Bogdanove - July 17, 2020
August 7 Fall Schooling through COVID Update Highlights:
- The first day of school has changed. It is now Tuesday, September 8 for all students
- We will provide distance learning ONLY for ALL students K-12 through November 6
- We will decide in October if students can safely return to school for the second quarter
- Haven’t registered yet? New and Returning Students Register online August 11 – 14
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We appreciate your continued patience and attention to our fall planning updates.
Update on K - 3rd Grade: Due to the numbers and trends we see now, we will provide off-site only Distance Learning until November 6 for all grades K – 12.
Based on the guidance provided by the state last week in the ODE and OHA Community COVID-19 Metrics, the Ashland School District has made the decision to start school for all grades in a Distance Learning off-site only model through the first quarter of the school year. We will review data trends in October and reconsider a hybrid option for the second quarter.
Making this decision now allows families necessary time to plan and gives school staff time to focus on preparing a strong Comprehensive Distance Learning program for all Ashland School District students throughout the first quarter.
Improved Distance Learning
The administrative team is now working to solidify the daily/weekly learning schedule based on the Oregon Department of Education guidance for Comprehensive Distance Learning. The state has provided us with strong direction on how to improve the Distance Learning experience that aligns with the ASD hybrid model we planned in June. Some highlights from the ODE requirements include:
- A school experience that honors the whole child and provides well rounded learning opportunities
- Ample instructional time, predictable routines and schedules, meaningful relationships that promote a sense of belonging, and valuable feedback
- Time educators spend directly interacting with students should be focused, planned, and designed for distance learning, centered in student engagement
- Opportunities for guided learning with an educator, as well as opportunities to work with peers to apply learning and practice skills
- Daily attendance and check-ins
What is Canvas and how can I help my child using it?
We are also working quickly to solidify the districtwide plan to support teachers, students, and parents/guardians in learning how to use our new Learning Management System Canvas. A list of learning opportunities, tutorials, and tools will be offered soon.
School Calendar
As mentioned last week, the school calendar for the 2020-21 school year has been adjusted to allow for more professional development days at the start of the school year. The first day of school for all students is Tuesday, September 8, and the updated calendar can be found here: ASD 2020-21 School Calendar.
Challenges and Hopes
Our hope and efforts are to offer a safe return to campus when county and state metrics are consistently at or below state targets. We are very aware of the challenges Distance Learning presents to working families and to students who need social connection to learn well. We value your partnership in keeping our kids, teachers, staff and families healthy, and in making this an amazing year for learning and connecting as we move forward together.
The Oregon Health Authority released updated metrics for safe school opening on Monday, August 3. Jackson County has now reached a COVID-19 Case Rate of 42.5/100,000 and a Test Positive Rate of 5.6% as of the July 26 report, an increase from last week’s update. These numbers reflect a four-week increasing trend and now exceed criteria for grades 4-12 and K-3 on campus if they stay at or above their current level.
County numbers need to be below a Case Rate of 10/100,000 and a Test Positive Rate of 5% to bring all students on to campus. The state allows an exception for K-3rd grades and small groups if the case rate in Jackson County falls below 30/100,000 for three consecutive weeks.
For the week ending on July 26, we are above state thresholds and trending higher. The latest Oregon Health Authority county and state metrics are available here and are summarized below.
| Oregon Test Positive Rate | Jackson County Test Positive Rate | Jackson County Case Rate Per 100,000 | |
| 7/05/20 | 5.8% | 1.5% | 11.7 |
| 7/12/20 | 5.4% | 2.8% | 27.1 |
| 7/19/20 | 5.7% | 3.0% | 24.4 |
| 7/26/20 | 5.8% | 5.6% | 42.5 |
Thank you for your continued partnership,
Samuel
Samuel Bogdanove
Superintendent
Ashland Public Schools
Pronouns: He, Him, His
Katherine
Katherine Holden
AMS Associate Principal/Schooling Through Covid Coordinator
Ashland Public Schools
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
PREVIOUS UPDATES:
Letter from Superintendent Bogdanove - July 30, 2020
Letter from Superintendent Bogdanove - July 24, 2020
Letter from Superintendent Bogdanove - July 17, 2020
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