April 8, 2020

RE: Governor Kate Brown closes school campuses through June 15, 2020, teaching and to learning continue, updated / new graduation requirement information.

Dear Siuslaw families,

Today we learned our students will not return to school campuses this school year, and plans around graduation requirements for seniors have also been announced.

An executive order from Gov. Kate Brown extended the closure of school buildings through June 15th in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep our community safe and healthy. While campuses are closed, education continues. Siuslaw schools will continue on the same pathway of Distance Learning for All that our staff has been preparing to deliver to all students.

This year has also significantly changed for our seniors. Colt Gill, Director of the Oregon Department of Education, has announced a plan around graduation requirements. Click here for the ODE plan. We are still digging into the new guidance, and will be reaching out to each of our high school seniors and their families soon with more information. Senior students will be receiving a call from a counselor, teacher or administrator soon.

The school closure also means that proms, field trips, graduations, award ceremonies, and simple classroom activities will be missed or experienced differently. We plan to include our high school student leaders in collaborative planning efforts to address these experiences, and will share details as plans are developed.  The Class of 2020 will be acknowledged with a commencement ceremony.  This ceremony will be different from what anyone has previously imagined, but graduation is a milestone that cannot be allowed to slip away.

During these unprecedented times, I want to say thank you for the kindness and patience you have shown to one another. We will need continued patience, resilience, kindness and strength as we move through these next few months.

Please remember that we care deeply about the well-being of each and every Siuslaw student.

There is no roadmap for the trip we are taking, but we will take this journey together.

Respectfully,

Andrew S. Grzeskowiak, Siuslaw SD 97J Superintendent

This letter and associated documents about the school closure can be found on the school district website through this link or by going to

http://www.siuslaw.k12.or.us/o/siuslaw-school-district/page/school-closure-information--8