To address student learning gaps happening during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to sharpen minds during summer vacation, several local teens have created a non-profit learning and tutoring organization called Youth Hand in Hand, which offers free online classes and tutorials on a wide range of topics.
The organization, which is comprised of talented student teachers, hosts weekly 40-minute ZOOM class sessions, teaching topics that include Coding (Scratch and Python), SAT tutoring, Chemistry, Biology, Math, National History Day, Creative Writing and Cartooning.
“A lot of these classes are things we are passionate about,” said Ares Zhang, a Camas High School senior, and one of the group’s student teachers. “We know a lot of people who have missed out on opportunities over the summer. This all started out as friends trying to help each other, but it’s turned into something bigger. There’s no cost! All of it’s free. All you have to do is sign up.”
As a non-profit, Youth Hand in Hand is able to procure funding to purchase full ZOOM subscriptions for all teachers, and they are accepting old routers to help students to have better WiFi access.
“Technically, we started in April during the pandemic, and my sister wanted to learn scratch coding, and several neighbors were interested,” said Spencer Chang, a junior at Mountain View High School, and the organization’s founder. “I asked if anyone would also want to do it, and other four kids helped us.”
After initial setup, Youth Hand in Hand now has 18 student teachers and offers 15 classes. Most classes have two teachers and typically 15 kids are in each session.
“Last month, we had 250 people sign up,” said Chang. “It’s a month-to-month program. Most classes are 4 weeks long. We provide resources to help kids get through online learning.”
Zhang said they are adapting the curriculum to help kids through the school season, and they will shift toward tutoring.
“We can help them learn concepts since they’re not in regular school,” said Chang. “Our goal for September is to expand curriculum and get ZOOM subscriptions for all our teachers. All teachers are teens. The youngest one will be a freshman this year. We are mostly juniors and seniors.”
Youth Hand in Hand plans to do face-to-face classes and tutoring sessions when life returns to pre-pandemic normal.
“It’s mostly so people can keep on learning throughout the pandemic,” said Chang. “Some people don’t learn as well online, and we’re hoping we can make an impact, to provide people opportunities to learn.”
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/19141514/C67D9411-C2D5-477C-BC25-0DD0753117AE-e1597872481377.jpeg6561280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-08-19 14:39:012020-08-19 14:39:11Local Teens Organize Online Learning Resource to Help Fellow Students
Rory Oster, Camas High School Athletic Director, issued this statement today regarding sports programs:
On Wednesday, August 12, 2020 the athletic directors of the Greater St. Helens 4A/3A League voted to move all high school athletic programs offered during season one to season three of the modified WIAA calendar. While league officials strongly believe in the growth that interscholastic education based athletics provides and want to return student-athletes to the field as soon as possible, we also believe this decision is best for the health and safety of the student athletes, coaches and communities which is always the top priority.
Updated modified schedules for all sports within the league will be released during the early winter months of 2020 on the league website.
Oster also answered frequently asked questions about athletic eligibility. He said the folllwing:
Camas High School has been receiving questions in regards to transferring schools and how that affects athletic eligibility moving forward as a Papermaker. Here are some insights to those questions based on the current WIAA handbook. Please remember that all transfer eligibility rules are for varsity competition only. All registered Camas High School, Hayes Freedom High School and Discovery High School students are eligible to participate at the non-varsity level of the programs offered.
18.11.2 The following students who are attending a member school shall be deemed to meet the residence rule requirement and transferring student rule requirements: A. A student whose transfer is based on a bona fide change of residence to a new school (district) due to an actual physical relocation of and with the entire family unit to a different residence and preceded by termination of all occupancy of their previous residence.
FAQ: Can our daughter begin school in Arizona since they are allowing students to attend regular class, but transfer back to Camas High School once they return students to the classroom and be eligible for athletics?
Answer: As long as the entire family unit (everybody that currently lives in current home) moves to Arizona to attend school, and then has the entire family unit move back to Camas is eligible for varsity competition. Please note that entire family unit must move, one parent cannot stay at the house in Camas while another is with the child in Arizona.
FAQ: Can our son enroll in a local private school this fall that is offering in person learning and return to Camas School District once they return to in person learning and be eligible?
Answer-As the WIAA handbook currently reads, the answer is no. They made the move for academic purposes and in that choice forfeited varsity eligibility for one calendar year upon the return to CSD.
18.13.3 There can be no evidence that either the student transferred for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics or transferred as a result of having been recruited for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics.
FAQ: Can my son who is a senior transfer to play football this fall in South Dakota and return to Camas High School in January to participate in football in the spring?
Answer-Any student who is deemed to transfer strictly for athletic purposes are ineligible to compete at the varsity level for one calendar year.
A student-athlete may always apply for a waiver/hardship exception when they are deemed ineligible. Those cases are heard by a local committee and decided upon at that time. They fall under the rule listed below:
18.13.0 RESIDENCE RULE WAIVER – Transferring students, unless eligible via 18.10.0 through 18.11.0, shall be deemed to have transferred at will and must apply to the WIAA District Eligibility Committee for a waiver of the Residence Rule. Such an application shall be processed under the appeal provisions contained in Article 19 of this Handbook. The procedure for evaluating a transferring student’s application will be as follows: 18.13.1 The student must meet all other eligibility requirements of Article 18 of this Handbook. 18.13.2 The student must establish a hardship as defined under the provisions of Article 19.1.0 and as determined by the District Eligibility Committee. 18.13.3 There can be no evidence that either the student transferred for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics or transferred as a result of having been recruited for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics. 18.13.4 In addition to the above requirements, the District Eligibility Chairperson shall, as an added condition of eligibility, require that a transferring student submit a WIAA Previous School Statement. A copy of the signed form must be retained on file in the school office for the duration of the student’s attendance at that school.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/07094625/08BAFC4D-E895-488F-A25A-5F82AD09B5F0.jpeg6421690Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-08-13 17:43:342020-08-13 17:43:43Greater St. Helens League Moves All Season 1 Sports to Modified Season 3
Clark County Public Health reported Tuesday that another 11 people have tested positive for COVID-19. To date, 2,121 Clark County residents have tested positive. The Health Department says the current incidence of new COVID-19 cases in Clark County is 88 cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days. The target rate is less than 25 new cases per 100,000 residents.
Currently, 12 COVID-19 patients and 13 persons under investigation (awaiting test results) for COVID-19 are hospitalized.
The agency also said today “our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distancing appear to be working!”
Data in the latest statewide situation report shows the growth of new cases in the state is likely slowing. And the data in this new report “points to vigilant masking and physical distancing as the reason for the slowed statewide transmission, rather than changes to people’s mobility.”
While case numbers are flat or decreasing statewide among people younger than 40, they are increasing among those 40 and older.
While growth in new cases may be slowing overall, aggregated data masks diverging trends in older and younger populations. In both eastern and western WA, cases are flat or decreasing in the 0 to 39-year age group while increasing in the 40-69 and 70+ age groups.
Suggests that any flattening of new cases is due to non-mobility-related changes in behavior like vigilant masking and physical distancing when out.
The slight deceleration in the growth of new cases is an improvement over the rate of increase noted in their last few reports. However, it is too early to know with certainty whether this represents a real turnaround. Further, the observation at the state level that cases continue to increase in the older age groups and particularly in those 70 and older is concerning. State health experts expect that if the increase in cases in these older age groups continues unabated this will result in an increase in hospitalization and deaths.
The report says “We cannot definitively attribute this trend to the mask mandates because mask wearing is generally accompanied by heightened awareness and physical distancing, but a preponderance of evidence indicates that widespread use of masks significantly reduces transmission.”
Strict adherence to masking and physical distancing policies and limits on social contacts remain necessary to further suppress COVID-19 transmission in Washington state and protect groups at higher risk for severe disease.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/07074101/2447ED53-96CF-45CB-AD64-A98E444B89B8.jpeg455810Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-08-11 19:46:022020-08-11 20:03:37COVID-19: Latest State Situation Report Shows Slowing of New Cases
Camas Superintendent, Dr, Jeff Snell provides to frequently asked questions regarding school reopening for the 2020-21 school season. He said this week there will be an opportunity to engage in a question and answer session about Camas Connect Academy, the Camas School District (CSD) full online option. CSD recommends the Camas Connect Academy only for families that do not have a desire to return to on-campus learning at any point during the school year. For all others, CSD recommends starting the school year remotely and then transitioning towards more on-campus learning during the year.
So how do we start school? During remote learning, we will keep the same school hours. This provides a consistent structure for students and families and defines the workday for staff. Schools will be providing orientations to help staff and families partner together in support of students.
Does full remote learning mean my student will be on Zoom for more than six hours per day? No, the State Board of Education has provided some flexibility in how we meet our yearly instructional hour requirements, and sitting in front of a screen all day long is not a best practice for students.
We designed our scheduling framework to have a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) learning with brain/movement breaks for students. Our remote learning schedule is aligned to our full hybrid schedule to help transition to more on-campus time when community health indicators improve. In our full, hybrid learning delivery model, students will receive at least two days of on-campus, live instruction. We’ve included a similar expectation in our remote learning schedule. The equivalent of at least 2 days of “live”, synchronous instruction will be distributed across the week. Other learning time will be asynchronous instruction from our teachers with specific learning tasks for students to complete with support. This allows for some flexibility for students and families when they access this instruction. Each school will develop a schedule that supports students and helps families at home. Prior to each week, teachers will post the week-ahead schedule that includes opportunities for student support and communication with families.
Will daily student attendance be taken? Yes, attendance will be taken for both synchronous and asynchronous learning sessions.
Will this look different than it did in the spring? Yes, our staff are committed to our students and have been planning based on the experiences from the spring. Staff training this summer includes social and emotional learning/wellness, design for remote learning, learning management and communication tools, video creation, synchronous interaction, and priority learning standards. As you know, we have an amazing staff who were put into a very challenging situation last spring. They want to create an engaging learning experience for your student this fall!
What if I need emergency childcare as we transition back to on-campus learning? We recognize that each family is in a unique situation and may need support. We are trying to develop options for families in these situations. Please contact us using this LINK.
What if my family relies on school breakfast and/or lunch services? We will develop a similar process to how we provided these meals in the spring during remote learning.
When will we start phasing into on-campus instruction? Decision Tree K12 Schools provides a framework that puts regions into COVID-19 activity levels using several indicators. One of those indicators is the rate of cases per 100,000 people. The rate divides COVID-19 activity into three levels: HIGH >75, MODERATE between 25-75, and LOW <25. The most recent rate of cases per 100,000 in Clark County was 74.3. Even though we are on the upper limit of MODERATE we are trending in a better direction considering our previous two rates were 99.7 and 96.4 (The Columbian, 8/5/2020, Clark County at ‘moderate risk’ for school reopenings). Your effort and the efforts of our community of following the Safe Start Washington guidelines are starting to pay off so thank you! Please help keep lowering the rate by socially distancing, wearing your mask, and washing your hands.
As our rate per 100,000 lowers, we will bring students on campus in small groups starting with our youngest students and those with specific support needs. We will then add more small groups of students easing our way towards a full hybrid model of at least two days of on-campus learning for each student.
I have greatly appreciated your feedback and patience during this journey to our first day of school.
This week, Gov. Inslee and state health officials announced updated COVID-19 guidance for long-term care facilities and fitness businesses.
Beginning Aug. 12, long-term care facilities will be able to resume in-person visits, with restrictions. The state has established a phased approach with criteria for long-term care facilities to safely allow visitors, provide trips for residents outside the facility and group activities, among other things.
Facilities in Phase 1:
Indoor visits are limited to compassionate care situations. Compassionate care situations include end-of-life circumstances and for psycho-social needs. Any such visit must follow strict safety protocol.
Outdoor visits are allowed and limited to two visitors per resident per visit. These visits must include masking, social distancing, and appropriate hygiene.
Facilities may invite “window visits” at their discretion with safety protocol in place.
Remote visitation must be facilitated in all Phases.
Facilities in Phase 2:
Indoor visits are limited to compassionate care situations. Compassionate care situations include end-of-life circumstances and for psycho-social needs. Any such visit must follow strict safety protocol.
Outdoor visits are allowed. These visits must include masking, social distancing, and appropriate hygiene.
Facilities may invite “window visits” at their discretion with safety protocol in place.
Remote visitation must be facilitated in all Phases.
A designated “essential support person” may visit a resident once per day if the resident is unable to participate in outdoor visits and if remote visitation technology is unavailable.
Facilities in Phase 3:
Indoor visits are generally permitted, with limitations. Facilities will establish protocol for visitor hours, visitor limits, and safety precautions. Preference should be given to outdoor visits.
Outdoor visits are allowed and are subject to facility safety protocol.
Remote visitation must be facilitated in all Phases.
Facilities in Phase 4:
Regular visitation resumes.
Fitness Guidelines
Fitness guidelines were also updated this week, allowing fitness and sports training other than group fitness classes
Changes in August 3 update:
Removing the restriction on independent fitness training by allowing fitness and sports training other than group fitness classes.
Increasing the distancing requirement while exercising indoors from six feet to 300 square feet per person, except while practicing certain team sports. For large facilities, occupancy is limited to 25 percent of the facility’s occupancy limit, as determined by the fire code. Occupancy and distancing requirements should be determined and posted for every room in the facility.
Requiring all patrons to wear face coverings when inside indoor fitness facilities, except while engaged in strenuous exercise. Patrons who remove their cloth facial coverings to exercise must wear them at all other times, including immediately before and immediately after exercise.
Clarifying the use of indoor team sports facilities for practice and limited competition with no spectators.
Harmonizing Phase 2 and 3 guidance to allow some limited indoor fitness and training activities in all areas of the state.
Clarifying that outdoors locations for fitness training and team sports are preferred to indoors locations and should be utilized to the greatest extent possible. Outdoor temporary structures may be used. Outdoor temporary structures should have no more than two walls to provide appropriate ventilation.
Clark County Public Health issued a new update today:
Another 13 people have tested positive for COVID-19. However, during routine quality control checks of our data, we removed 12 cases from our total due to duplications and cases being transferred to other counties (the county of residence).
With those changes, the total number of Clark County residents who have tested positive to date is 1992.
Another Clark County resident has died – a man in his 80s with undetermined underlying conditions. To date, 41 Clark County residents have died.
Currently, 13 COVID-19 patients and four persons under investigation (awaiting test results) for COVID-19 are hospitalized.
Vancouver, WA — The Clark County Elections Office provided an update to the August 4, 2020 Primary and Special Elections Results. Here’s a breakdown of many of the races, which provides a preview of the Fall campaign.
Number of precincts (county wide): 314
Number of registered voters: 303,702
Total ballots counted: 112,549
Estimated ballots left to count: 37,000
Voter turnout: 37.06%
Congressional District 3 U.S. Representative Race (full district tally)
Camas, WA — After generations of battling water quality issues at Lacamas Lake — and now Fallen Leaf Lake — city leaders, county officials, and state representatives are now beginning to form an alliance to tackle severe environmental issues affecting the popular recreation areas.
Citing multiple occurrences of toxic algae in both lakes, which make them unfit for recreation, Camas City Council member Steve Hogan said he, Mayor Barry McDonnell, and Camas Public Works Director, Steve Wall, are in the process of getting an inter-local agreement between the city and Clark County.
“We decided it was time to clean this lake up,” said Hogan, “and we have the full support of the Mayor and city leaders. We have Temple Lentz and Gary Medvigy on Clark County Council on board, plus Senator Ann Rivers, and state representatives Larry Hoff and Brandon Vick. We asked our state representatives if there’s commitment from them to move through the agencies: Department of Ecology, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, and Department of Agriculture. They said yes.”
The pollution sources that likely contribute to the algae blooms include the following:
Storm water facilities feeding into the lake
Lacamas Shores bio-filter, which critics say hasn’t been properly maintained by their Home Owner’s Association
Dairy farm/cattle runoff
And, historical neglect. From 1883-1889, the Camas forest was logged before we became a state, and there were no protections, and so much drained into the lake over the decades.
“This isn’t going to be a quick fix,” said Hogan. “We want this cleanup to be part of a 20-year strategy. Fallen Leaf Lake and Lacamas Lake have separate issues, but readings at Lacamas Shores have 122 storm pumps leading into it, which go into the lake.”
Hogan said they want a system of testing that goes upstream to see which ponds are contributing to the toxic algae in the lakes. In the process, said Hogan, the county suggested re-designating Lacamas Lake as a recreational lake, which the Camas City Council did in February. It had been previously designated as an industrial lake.
“Today’s story has to deal with algae, but we have to improve the lake for the long run,” said Hogan. “We need to get rid of the dead zone in the lake, where nothing can live. There’s too much debris at the bottom of the lake, which is a major contributor to the pollution. We have to deal with this. We’ve gotten a lot of help from Judit Lorenz, Council member Ellen Burton, and Council member Bonnie Carter. Every council member is very psyched up about it.”
The next action items are working with Clark County Public Works, since they’ve been observing lake water quality issues.
“We are in the process of getting this inter-local agreement between Camas and Clark County,” said Wall. “We believe there are short-term things we can do to improve the water quality, but there are many long-term objectives, as well.”
In the short term, said Wall, “we have to educate citizens about knowing when and how to fertilize lawns, and what goes into storm drains, and we need to work with HOA’s so they can fulfill their responsibilities. There are lots of things we can do.”
These developments are welcome news to Lacamas Shores resident, Steve Bang, who has been advocating for cleaning up his neighborhood bio-filter, which many think is a wetland.
“The Lacamas Shores HOA hasn’t properly maintained the bio-filter since 1993,” said Bang. “The bio-filter originally had natural plants that absorbed toxins before they went into the lake. The HOA was supposed to clear those toxic plants on a regular basis to keep the bio-filter operating properly. They’ve neglected to do that, and I’ve been trying to get the city to apply pressure on our HOA to live up to their responsibilities.”
Bang thinks reclaiming the bio-filter to its original state will resolve much of of the lake’s toxic algae issues. He’s been trying to get his HOA to resolve the issue on their own, and lately he’s been pressuring the city to assist in the efforts.
“We can fix major problems right now,” said Bang. “We just have to act. If the city can pressure our HOA to do their job, it doesn’t have to be a part of the inter-local agreement. And, getting this bio-filter fixed won’t cost the taxpayer any money. We don’t have to wait.”
Bang said the Ecology Department does not allow wetlands and bio-filters to co-mingle and that the restoration will be done according to Ecology’s best practices manual. You can learn more about the Lacamas Shores bio-filter at www.Lacamasshoresbiofilter.org
Camas leaders are looking to the state to apply pressure on agencies to do their part.
“Working with the multiple agencies has been like herding cats, and we hope to get past the red tape,” said Hogan. “This is where people like Senator Ann Rivers can be a major support. The city also owns the dam and the mill ditch, and we can use that to make things move faster. Less red tape.”
Rivers is using her membership on the Legislature’s powerful Ways and Means committee, as well as a member of top four elected leadership, to apply pressure on the agencies that can help resolve this.
Dozens of stormwater drains empty into Lacamas Lake.
“I have the ability to drive funding that someone with less experience simply will not have,” said Rivers. “There are many grant programs we can use to clean up the lake. I have very good relationships in DC with our federal elected representatives because we partner on issues important to our shared constituency.”
Hogan said once these problems are fully identified and defined, he wants the council to make the Lacamas Lake cleanup “part of our 20-year plan.”
“We need to make a city process that is closely monitored,” said Hogan. “We need to change the culture so we are monitoring the key elements affecting the water quality. We have to keep pressure on all agencies to make this happen. The city and the taxpayer owns most of the property now around Lacamas Lake — it’s all inside the city limits now. Owning the dam and ditch gives us more leverage to clean it up. Most cities don’t have that ability, but we do. We can move water into that ditch and divert the crappy water out of the water system. We want to say to the Department of Ecology ‘we want you to be our partner in this.’”
WSU staff spoke with Wall and they’ve done studies to work to improve the lake quality, as well.
“The cleanup of Lacamas Lake is a very high priority,” said Rivers. “By working with the City of Camas, Department of Ecology, and Department of Natural Resources, I believe that we can get the funding we need and develop a policy that prevents a repeat of this situation so we can make these lakes safer for everyone .”
Hogan said this is going to “be a long, hard fight, but it’ll be worth it.”
Wall expects the inter-local agreement to be completed in the coming weeks, and then it will go to City Council approval.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/07072854/7E05AD21-A189-42BF-A8A1-EF2F194864F5.jpeg6241280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-08-03 17:32:102020-08-03 17:34:54Camas, County, State Reps Forming Alliance to Improve Water Quality at Lacamas Lake
Olympia, WA — Governor Jay Inslee issued a proclamation Thursday related to the state’s contact tracing efforts and personal information protection.
Proclamation 20-64 exempts personally identifiable information collected by COVID-19 case investigators from public disclosure. The proclamation does not provide additional exemptions for employees or volunteers who are conducting the contact tracing work, as the Public Records Act already exempts many types of personal information relating to public employees and volunteers.
“The success of the response to the COVID-19 epidemic depends in part on the free flow of information and individuals’ willingness to share information and cooperate with public health authorities,” Inslee said. “Ensuring the protection of a person’s personally identifiable information may determine whether that person will fully cooperate with COVID-19 case investigators and contact tracers.”
“While we believe that COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing information, and the personally identifiable information that is gathered as a part of that work, is already exempt under the Public Records Act, we need certainty because ensuring the protection of a person’s personally identifiable information is critical to our COVID-19 efforts,” said Secretary of Health John Wiesman.
According to Clark County Public Health, another 22 people have tested positive for COVID-19 and one person has died – a woman in her 70s with no underlying health conditions.
To date, 1,778 Clark County residents have tested positive and 40 people have died.
Currently, 20 COVID-19 patients and 10 persons under investigation (awaiting test results) for COVID-19 are hospitalized.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/07073813/F9E67763-E4F0-4DE5-93DE-6A7A39F0C612.jpeg7201280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-07-31 20:34:192020-07-31 20:34:25Inslee Issues Proclamation on Contact Tracing; Latest Clark County Data
Camas, WA — After a self-imposed closure on July 19, the popular Mexican restaurant, Nuestra Mesa, is re-opening its doors today for full dine-in and takeout service.
Mesa voluntarily closed its doors upon learning a family member had tested positive for COVID-19. Customers were told the situation, and were politely asked to leave that Sunday afternoon.
Since that time, all Mesa employees were tested and the entire restaurant was professionally cleaned. It was a thorough three-hour process in which all surfaces were sanitized.
“All our employees tested negative for COVID-19 and our restaurant underwent a thorough, professional cleaning,” said Todd Moravitz, co-owner of the restaurant. “We thank you for your patience. We made your safety and the safety of our employees a priority.”
Mesa serves gourmet Mexican cuisine in historic downtown Camas. They are following all state-mandated COVID-19 safety guidelines, and have physically distanced outdoor seating, as well. Hours are 11:30-9 daily.
Learn more at www.nuestramesacamas.com or visit their social media sites on Facebook and Instagram.
For takeout or dine-in reservations, call 360.210.5311.
Camas Superintendent, Dr. Jeff Snell, explains in today’s letter that Camas School District is one of eight Southwest Washington school districts to recommend at-home learning when school resumes for the 2020-21 season:
CSD Families,
We have been working this summer through all of the different scenarios for starting the 2020-21 school year with the goal of having students return to campus in some form.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new recommendations for schools last week which stress the importance of onsite experiences. I think we all agree how important it is to have our students back on campus. The CDC also suggests “Administrators should coordinate with local public health officials to stay informed about the status of COVID-19 transmission in their community.” The guidelines also advise us to monitor “COVID-19 transmission rates in the immediate community and in the communities in which students, teachers, and staff live” (CDC, 7/23/20).
Unfortunately, conditions in our community are not trending in a positive direction. We have been working with Dr. Melnick, director of Clark County Public Health, as a region to determine the best course of action for schools in our community. As the numbers of positive COVID-19 cases continue to trend up in our region, it has become clear that the safest way to start the school year is a more robust fully remote learning delivery model. The growth rate trends need to change in our community before being able to bring students and staff together on campus. Without those changes we risk rapidly spreading the virus between students, staff and throughout our community with the reopening of schools. More detailed information about our current trends in Clark County can be found at Clark County Public Health Novel Coronavirus.
What does this mean for my family?
Over the next four weeks we will refine plans based on this decision and begin communicating specific information to you from your student’s school. We have taken student, staff, and family feedback from our experience last spring to provide a more robust remote learning experience for students.
Our hope is to start to transition from full remote learning to a blended delivery model with some version of on campus learning as soon as possible. The timing for this transition is dependent on regional health indicators. Our learning delivery models stages are below.
Remote Learning – all student participate in distance learning
Remote Learning transitioning to Blended Learning – students identified through a set of district/school developed criteria in greatest need of additional support participate onsite with in-person instruction.
Blended Learning – all students participate onsite with in-person instruction a minimum of two (2) days a week. Transition to more on campus days for students as conditions improve.
On Campus Learning – all students and staff participate onsite with in-person instruction five (5) days a week.
What if my student prefers a full online model regardless of the health trends in our county?
If your preference is a full online model for your student, we have developed the Camas Connect Academy. This program will not shift through the phases above. It will stay online throughout the year. It will operate as a separate school/program within our district with district staff and the same learning standards. We will provide more information about the Camas Connect Academy in the coming weeks including a Q&A session prior to the enrollment window.
What if I need emergency childcare during learning delivery models 1 through 3?
We recognize that each family is in a unique situation and may need support. We are trying to develop options for families in these situations. Please contact us using this LINK.
What if my family relies on school breakfast and/or lunch services?
We will develop a similar process to how we provided these meals in the spring during remote learning.
We have all been on a rollercoaster ride since early March as we’ve collectively tried to manage through a very different world. School is a big part of everyone’s lives. We had hoped to provide you with a return to on campus school this fall. Our staff is committed to provide the very best educational experience possible for your students no matter what the learning delivery model. It will not be without challenges and there will continue to be opportunities to improve. We will continue to engage with our public health partners to help determine when we can safely shift to more on campus learning.
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