Jason Moore

MAR 10, 2022

Dear North Bend Families & Staff,

On March 10, 2020, I wrote my first message to families and staff notifying them that schools were being closed due to this thing called COVID-19. We have learned a lot since then and have experienced the trials and tribulations of surviving day-to-day life during a pandemic. March 12, 2022 marks the end of mask restrictions for K-12 schools in Oregon and indoor masking statewide. It is a time for celebration, but also for continued vigilance to ensure the health and safety of students and staff.

Masks
Do you want to wear a mask? Okay! 
You don’t want to wear a mask?  Okay!

We will continue to support students and staff who may still choose to wear a mask or who choose not to wear a mask and will continue to demonstrate a culture of kindness towards personal choice.

School Bus
The mask option will extend to student transportation.  It is up to the individual whether or not a mask will be worn while riding on the school bus.

Healthy Practices
We will also continue to encourage some of the healthy behaviors that have helped limit colds and flu in schools the past couple of years. 

• Wash your hands! Many of our classrooms have sinks with soap and water and most spaces also have sanitizer. Continue those good hygiene practices!
• Don't share drinks. This sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how often this continues to occur in schools, especially at the secondary level. Sharing is a great attribute to learn and demonstrate...maybe not with drinks!

Quarantine and Contact Tracing
Oregon will pause contact tracing and quarantine for the general public, including K-12 setting.  In lieu of contact tracing, we will provide cohort notifications when exposures occur.  These notifications will allow individuals and families to take additional precautions according to their individual needs.

Isolation
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and/or present primary symptoms (as described below) should isolate for at least 5 days.  To calculate the 5-day isolation period, Day 0 is the first day of symptoms or a positive test result.  Day 1 is the first full day after the symptoms developed or a positive test result.  Isolation  may end after 5 full days if the individual is fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved.  It is recommended that individuals wear a well-fitted mask around others for 5 additional days (day 6 through day 10) after the end of the 5-day isolation period.

Testing
Home tests will be available for students upon request to be taken under the supervision of a parent or guardian.  If a student or staff member tests positive, they can refer to guidance on the Positive COVID Test website and the COVID-19 Case Support Hotline (866) 917-8881.

Physical Distancing
Maintain some distance when possible. Schools are busy places, but there is also plenty of room to spread out in most classrooms and gathering spots.

Primary Symptoms
Stay home if you're sick. Again this seems obvious but we will be sending students and staff home with primary COVID symptoms and they will be encouraged to seek viral testing or consider an evaluation by a healthcare provider if they exhibit the following Primary COVID-19 symptoms:

• Cough
• Temperature of 100.4 F or higher or chills
• Shortness of breath or Difficulty breathing
• New loss of taste or smell

Non primary symptoms do not always require exclusion and our nursing staff will evaluate students and staff on a case-by-case basis. If these symptoms persist for more than a day, it is recommended that individuals see their healthcare provider.:

• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

We are excited to see more and more student and staff smiles in the coming days and weeks. Thanks again for your ongoing support of North Bend Schools!

Kevin Bogatin,
Superintendent