March 13, 2020
Dear Molalla,
Great communities come together in difficult times. These are difficult times, and Molalla is just that kind of community!
We will make it through the challenges ahead. We will do this for the benefit of our families, friends and neighbors, and we will do it most importantly for our children and the future.
School Closure
With Governor Brown declaring last night that all Oregon schools be closed Monday, March 16 – Tuesday, March 31st, our district administrators have been preparing to mobilize our response for students and staff.
Note: In addition to school closure, all other activities district wide are cancelled during this same time period.
Grab-and-Go Meals
All next week (Monday, March 16th – Friday, March 20th), we will provide free “Grab-and-Go” lunch for anyone 18 years old and younger. Regardless of where in the school district a family might live, these “Grab-and-Go” meals will be available at Molalla Elementary School from 10:15 AM -11:15 AM during the closure next week.
School Building Cleaning
Deep cleaning in schools will continue next week. When students return, we will continue to provide extra time and resources for additional disinfectant measures district-wide.
Teaching & Learning
Aligned with Governor Brown’s declaration, school districts statewide are developing plans for returning to school that accommodate ongoing impacts of the coronavirus. Teacher planning on March 30th & 31st will take place to prepare for the operation of schools under updated measures, with students expected to return on Wednesday, April 1st.
Aligned with the governor’s declaration, we expect schools will reopen on April 1st. However, we are also taking steps to be prepared should closure continue beyond that time. Specifically, we are preparing to mobilize online learning options if necessary beginning in April. Our first priority will be assuring high school seniors continue toward on-time graduation. From there, we have prioritized online learning for all secondary students grades 6-12.
At the elementary level, our schools have already prepared learning materials for each student. These “Learning Go Bags” will be ready for pick up on Tuesday, March 17th from 8-12:00. Parents are encouraged to stop by their child’s school to pick their materials during this window of time. As parents arrive to pick up the “Learning Go-Bags” we ask that everyone maintain a social distance of 3 feet from one another. Parents who cannot make it during this window of time should contact their principal for support.
Ongoing Communications
We will continue to use School Messenger and our website as primary communication tools. Additionally, communications will may be posted to social media. Our website includes links to health agencies and resources. It also now includes a Frequently Asked Questions list. We encourage you to check back often.
Thank you for your ongoing support. Respectfully, Tony Mann Superintendent