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Dear Corbett Families and Staff,

Our city, our state, and much of the world are now dealing with an unprecedented public health crisis. 

Since the COVID-19 coronavirus first emerged in Oregon, we have followed the guidance of our public health agency partners, including Multnomah County and the Oregon Health Authority, in making preventative changes in our schools and programs. As this situation continues to evolve, public health experts now believe the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Portland and Oregon will grow. In addition, we are now experiencing a large number of staff absences, which makes it difficult to effectively operate the school system and causes us concern for our employees and their health. For all these reasons and to best protect our students, employees, and community, we believe it is time for us to act more urgently and more aggressively.

After careful consideration as a district leadership team, consultation with external partners and state agencies, and in addition to tonight’s latest guidance from Gov. Brown, Corbett will extend spring break, beginning Monday, March 16 with a plan for students to return to schools on Wednesday, April 1 (staff will be expected to return on Monday, March 30, two days earlier). During this time, all school activities, including athletic events and practices, are cancelled. We will assess and confirm or adjust return dates for students and staff, respectively, on Wednesday, March 25. 

Starting Monday, March 16, and until we reopen schools on April 1, schools will be closed to students. Education staff and school administrators are also expected to be out of buildings until March 30. Custodial staff will continue to clean schools during the extended break, prioritizing high-touch surfaces in classrooms and common areas. 

Schools are essential to communities. We know that extending spring break will cause difficulties for many families who rely on their schools for meals, health care, and a safe place to be during the day. Because of this, we do not take this decision lightly. But we have to be responsible not only as educators and caretakers, but as members of the larger community in which we live and work. Extending spring break is a preventative measure to help slow the rate of spread of coronavirus and, as public health agencies explain, flatten the curve of the virus’s impact on our citizens and health care systems. We are also sensitive to the fact that many of our staff are older individuals with whom we share concern for their health and therefore want to limit exposure.

I know this is a major announcement that in many ways is without local precedent. Given the seriousness of the current situation, we firmly believe that this decision is the best one we can make given all available information and keeping the best interests of our students, staff, and community at the center.

Again, we appreciate our fellow school district leaders and colleagues from around the state for their collaboration and thought-partnership during this critical situation.

During the break, we encourage everyone in our community to follow recommended practices by avoiding large gatherings, washing hands frequently, and covering mouths when coughing or sneezing. Those experiencing symptoms of the cold or flu should stay at home until symptom-free for 72 hours. If you are concerned about symptoms, please consult with a doctor.

We will continue to monitor this very dynamic public health situation and will plan to provide an update during the course of this extended break. Thank you for your support and cooperation during this time.

Superintendent, Randy Trani

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March 12, 2020 Second Update

ÌýÌýÌý Today, based upon the newest information from the Oregon Health Authority, the district increased efforts to promote social distancing between students and staff to limit the possible transmission of the COVID-19 virus. These efforts are precautionary and not in response to any COVID-19 cases in the 91¿´Æ¬Íø. Your student may come home and tell you about these changes to their daily school routines. Some of the social distancing and health strategies we introduced and reinforced today included:

• Cancelling all field trips including all athletic contests. (Currently, practices are still allowed under the official guidance offered to the District.)
• Cancelling public gatherings like plays, and school celebrations.
• Cancelling morning meetings.
• Asking students to travel outside from class to class rather than congregating in the commons.
• Promoting small group indoor recess rather than large group indoor recess.
• Promoting outdoor recess and outdoor lunch whenever weather permits.
• Encouraging students to stay home if they or a family member are sick.
• Emphasizing safe behaviors like covering coughs and hand washing.

ÌýÌýÌý In light of the extended school closures in Washington state the district is working to prepare plans for similar possible closures in Corbett. This coming Monday, March 16th, we will hold a staff in-service and cancel school for all students for one day.  Staff will prepare curriculum in this in-service for students to be delivered electronically if a lengthy school closure is warranted because of the COVID-19 virus. This approach to preparation has been implemented by other districts in the area. School is scheduled as normal for students on  March 17th, 18th, and 19th.

ÌýÌýÌý During the in-service plans will be finalized for providing instruction to students if we are forced to close for an extended time period. Currently staff are working and will continue to work on plans to:

• Provide high quality electronic instruction for students in grades K-12.
• Provide access to computers for students who do not have access at home.
• Provide free and reduced lunch remotely to students who request it if a closure is warranted.
• Provide individualized instruction for special education students.

    91¿´Æ¬Íø is committed to providing quality instruction and most importantly keeping students safe. This is a fluid situation and updates will be shared as guidance is given to the district by the Oregon Health Authority, Center for Disease Control, and the Governor’s Office.

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With the number of confirmed COVID-19 coronavirus cases in Oregon increasing, including the first instance in Multnomah County, Governor Brown announced new guidance last night regarding group gatherings and social distancing. We remain committed to keeping our schools open and safe. In accordance with this evening’s guidance and in order to minimize potential opportunities for the virus to spread, we have decided to proactively begin suspending events that bring large groups of students, adults, and community members together. This action is not related to a presumptive case. At this time, there are no presumptive cases in the 91¿´Æ¬Íø.

Suspension of non-essential school-based activities and after-school activities begins immediately, effective Thursday, March 12, and will remain in effect until further notice. This includes the suspension of all assemblies and events, off-campus field trips, and professional development meetings and events. With regard to athletics, we are following new state guidance denying audience admission at all school-based events, with the exception of essential personnel and credentialed media. The list of affected activities will grow as we work with partners and stakeholders over the coming days. We will update you as we make those decisions. 

To be clear, we are taking every step possible so that we can continue to provide high-quality education for all of our students and keep our schools open.

We realize that this decision will impact every school community, and we know that many of the events, student performances and other gatherings that we are suspending are those that schools, students and families look forward to all year long. Suspending these events is consistent with guidance from health authorities, and we believe it is a prudent and responsible step to take at this time. We will be working with trip planners, event organizers and others who are responsible for the affected activities. In cases when we are mandated to offer access to community members (e.g. School Board meetings), we hope to offer continued online streaming and are currently exploring other alternatives, including virtual meeting platforms in order to continue the district’s business. 

The safety, health, and well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority. We will continue to work in close partnership with public health authorities to minimize both the spread of coronavirus and disruption to schools and students. We will continue emphasizing the importance of handwashing at school. Our custodians will continue to prioritize high-touch surfaces and we are making sure schools have adequate cleaning supplies. 

Students, families and everyone in our community can best support our efforts by washing hands frequently, covering mouths when coughing or sneezing, and using hand sanitizer. Those experiencing symptoms of the cold or flu should stay at home, only returning to school or work when symptom-free for 24 hours. If you are concerned about symptoms, please consult with a doctor.

More information and ongoing updates from public health officials are available online, including:

• Multnomah County Health Department:
• Oregon Health Authority (OHA):
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
• Oregon Department of Education (ODE) Communicable Disease Guidance:

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this difficult time. We will continue to rely on the guidance from the Oregon Health Authority, the Department of Education, and the Office of the Governor. Please know that this message and the decisions being made at this time are being done in collaboration with many of the State of Oregon’s largest school districts, including Portland Public Schools, Salem-Keizer Public Schools, Hillsboro School District and Eugene School District. We appreciate their partnership at this time.

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Dear 91¿´Æ¬Íø Families,

On Sunday, March 8^th, the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Education announced guidance for responding to COVID-19 cases in Oregon schools. The following is part of the announcement; you can read the guidance in full by :

At this time, the guidance recommends against closing schools and campuses where no cases of COVID-19 are present. It also recommends that schools, colleges and universities consider all alternatives before closing a school, college or university in the event that a COVID-19 case is detected among students or staff. The guidance identifies important strategies educational administrators can use to reduce the risk of COVID-19 within a school community and protect students from lost instructional time.

The guidance recognizes that the instruction schools and universities provide is vital to student well-being. In addition, schools provide many students their only ready access to health care and food. More than 22,000 students in Oregon experienced some form of homelessness in 2019.

The recommendation gives schools tools to prevent COVID-19 transmission and maintain a normal learning environment for students and staff. Under existing OHA guidance, individuals who have COVID-19, including students and educators, will be subject to self-isolation to prevent others from becoming infected.

The safety, health, and well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority. We will continue to work in close partnership with the Oregon Health Authority and Multnomah County Health, and follow their guidance in order to minimize both the spread of coronavirus and disruption to schools and students. 

We will continue emphasizing the importance of handwashing at school. Our custodians are now in week two of giving priority to disinfecting high-touch surfaces in classrooms and common areas. We have been delivering extra supplies such as disinfecting wipes and disinfecting sprays to teachers and administrative staff for periodic use during the school day and will continue to do so. We have also extended increased cleaning protocols to our school buses.

Finally, a reminder that you can best support these efforts by washing hands frequently, covering mouths when coughing or sneezing, and using hand sanitizer. Those experiencing symptoms of the cold or flu should stay at home, only returning to school or work when symptom-free for 24 hours. If you are concerned about symptoms, please consult with a doctor.

Thank you.

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We have received questions and/or concerns from our community about news of the novel coronavirus (respiratory illness) called COVID-19. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that usually cause mild respiratory illnesses such as the common cold.

COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that had not been seen in humans before. 

As of February 27, 2020 there have been no cases of COVID-19 in Oregon.  

Please click here for our community letter.

Haga clic aquí para ver nuestra carta comunitaria.

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