October 23, 2020
Dear NCSD Families:
North Clackamas Schools (NCSD) knows this school year has been challenging for students, families, and staff. NCSD appreciates everyone’s flexibility and recognizes there are limitations associated with remote education and the inability to connect with students in person. That said, this period is also allowing students to experiment with new technologies, foster a sense of independence, and engage with peers and staff in new and exciting ways.
From the start of the 2020-2021 school year, I mentioned NCSD would transition to a hybrid educational model (partially online and partially in-person) when the required COVID-19 Oregon Health Metrics for In-Person Instruction indicated such a transition would be safe. It was hoped this transition would occur in November 2020, but the state and county COVID-19 health metrics have not improved to a point where hybrid operations would be safe, nor allowable by state requirements.
Consequently, last night NCSD’s Board of Directors authorized the continuation of Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) through February 9, 2021. The Board of Directors also agreed to revisit this timeline should the required COVID-19 Oregon Health Metrics for in-person instruction be modified.
However, there are some areas where restrictions have been liberalized. Specifically:
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Starting November 2, selected OSAA high school sports will be allowed on NCSD fields for purposes of outdoor training and conditioning in accordance with Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) guidelines. Additional information on this will come from high school athletic directors in the coming days. NCSD will not consider opening gyms or indoor spaces for training until Clackamas County is in Phase 2.
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Starting October 17, NCSD allowed the general community, but not community groups, to access elementary school playgrounds (during non-school hours) and school fields. This permission is in addition to the general community (again, groups excluded) already being able to access NCSD walking paths, tracks, and tennis courts.
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NCSD’s Board of Directors also authorized the district to develop a pilot program to allow on-site instruction for small groups. Details about this pilot are still under development, but will likely feature a very small number of students, who are not participating in CDL and need specialized services. This pilot program is not a replacement for CDL but will provide specialized support.
Thank you for your continued support and flexibility; additional updates as conditions with the virus and/or health metrics change.
Following are some other items that may be of interest:
ThoughtExchange Results
From October 8 - 15, NCSD held a ThoughtExchange to gather insights into the CDL strategy from both families and staff. There were a total of 3,002 participants and 3,761 thoughts shared; a summary of the key findings is here. One of the key insights among parents/guardians, was a 50-50 split between those who believe current conditions are suitable to allow in-person school to resume. Thank you to all who provided feedback.
NCSD Food Service
NCSD continues offering free weekly meal home delivery to all students registered in North Clackamas schools and siblings in the same household. If your family would like to have free meals delivered to your home, or if you would like to add a sibling to the list, please fill out the NCSD Meal Delivery Registration Form. Complete one form per child, please.
For children not registered in an NCSD school, free meals are available for pickup every Wednesday from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at:
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Milwaukie High School - 2301 SE Willard St. Milwaukie, OR 97222 (Additional Service Added: Wednesday 6:00 pm & 7:30 pm at MHS only)
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Rex Putnam High School - 4950 SE Roethe Rd. Milwaukie, OR 97267
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Alder Creek Middle School - 13801 SE Webster Rd. Milwaukie, OR 97267
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Clackamas High School - 14486 SE 122 Ave. Clackamas, OR 97015
Please call 503-353-6150 if there are questions about meal delivery, and NCSD encourages all eligible households to complete a free and reduced meal application. If there are questions about the free and reduced application, please call 503-353-6034 or email: [email protected].
Chromebooks & Technology Issues
If you have issues with your NCSD-issued Chromebook, hotspot, or have questions about other technology issues, please contact the NCSD family helpdesk Monday-Friday from 8 am - 4 pm at 503-353-5822, or email: [email protected].
Thank you again for your ongoing understanding as we navigate this dynamic and challenging period together.
Sincerely,
Matt Utterback
Superintendent