Dear CSD Staff and Families,

As you have likely seen in the news, the Centers for Disease Control recently released updated guidance, shortening quarantine and isolation recommendations for members of the general public who are exposed to COVID-19.

As state and local agencies evaluate these new guidelines for educational environments, Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon Department of Education (ODE), and local public health authorities will clarify details for Oregon K-12 schools and update the Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework accordingly. Once we receive updated guidance from ODE, OHA, and Lane County Public Health (LCPH), we will evaluate and implement the changes necessary in our school procedures.

Until then, our current isolation and quarantine guidelines will remain in effect. As a reminder, under these guidelines, unvaccinated or not yet fully vaccinated students who are determined to have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive or is presumed positive for COVID-19 in school settings where universal masking is fully implemented* should quarantine for seven (7) days. If the close contact has a negative result on a test collected on day 7 by antigen or PCR test, they may return to normal activities on day eight (8). If a student chooses not to test, they must quarantine for 10 days.

*Note that the modified quarantine is not available to students whose exposure was outside of school or was at a time during or after the regular school day where masks were not consistently worn.

Current District Guidance on Extracurricular Activities

As activities move indoors, extracurricular activities do present an increased risk for transmission and exposure that may lead to isolation or quarantine for those who come into contact with individuals who test positive for COVID-19. In a School Health Advisory issued this week, OHA and ODE recommended that schools and other organizations should pause extracurricular activities OR ensure they follow the same layered mitigation safety protocols practiced during the school day.

At CSD, our goal for students is to “let them play” while taking every precaution possible to keep them and our community safe. Our kids deserve the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities; we also want to do everything possible to prevent the spread of COVID in our schools. We are currently continuing with our extracurricular activities and reviewing our safety protocols to protect the safety of our student participants, coaches, staff, and spectators. We request that you comply with the statewide indoor masking mandate and wear your mask while indoors attending our extracurricular activities. Additionally, wearing your mask at indoor extracurricular activities will help the district avoid non-compliance fees assessed by OSHA and OHA.

To minimize disruption of in-person learning due to quarantine and isolation, ODE and OHA ask for help from families and communities.

• If your child is ill, do NOT send them to school. If they have COVID-19 symptoms, seek a COVID-19 test. Primary COVID-19 symptoms include cough, temperature of 100.4 F or higher, chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or a new loss of taste or smell. Other symptoms include fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, sore throat, nasal congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
• Get vaccinated now if you’re not. Vaccination remains the best protection against serious illness from COVID-19 and reduces spread of the disease. Get Vaccinated Oregon.
• Get boosted if you’re not. If you’re eligible for a booster, make your appointment today. Boosters provide an extra layer of protection needed to slow spread of the omicron variant.
• Limit gatherings with people from other households to the extent possible. If you are visiting people from another household, you should wear a mask, maintain physical distancing, and keep activities outdoors whenever possible.

As details are offered and plans develop, I will keep you informed and provide an update soon. As we navigate the uncertainty that the omicron variant brings, the health, safety, and wellbeing of our students, staff, and community remain our highest priority.

Sincerely,
Mike Johnson
Superintendent