Dear CSD Families, Staff, and Students,

We have been working diligently to prepare for the return of our students in September. I spent the past two days in a planning retreat with school principals and staff. Their dedication to Creswell’s students is inspiring.

I’m writing to share some brief updates with you regarding plans for the fall.  As we have seen, rules  continue to adjust based on public health guidance and the situation remains fluid. On August 11, Governor Kate Brown announced a statewide indoor mask mandate and yesterday, she directed OHA to create a rule that will require all staff, workers, volunteers, and others associated with schools to be vaccinated by October 18th or six weeks after a vaccine is federally approved, whichever comes later. We will be sharing our Safe Return to In-Person Learning and Continuity of Service plan on our website by August 27. Key aspects to our reopening plans are highlighted below, but please know these may need to be adjusted if rules and mandates change.

Full time, in-person instruction

We are excited to welcome our students back to full time, in-person learning in all our schools. Whether readying the buses or assembling new desks, our staff are looking forward to having students’ voices once again filling our hallways.

Health and Safety

Our team will be incorporating layered safety measures to prioritize and promote the health of our students and staff. Key points of the back-to-school plan can be found here and your feedback is welcome. Within the draft plan is a survey link that provides an opportunity to share your thoughts and concerns. This plan was created with two priorities in mind –the safety of our students and staff and providing exemplary education for every student in our district.

Care and Connection

I understand returning to full-time, in-person school may bring a mix of feelings including anticipation, nervousness, excitement and opportunity for students and families. We’re planning to kick the year off with a focus on care and connection to help create a welcoming space for everyone in our learning community.

Speaking of community, I’d like to share my thanks for Creswell’s unwavering support of our district and students.  This community has demonstrated resilience and we will continue to get through this together.

Sincerely,

Mike Johnson
Superintendent