Masking Requirement Changes Coming Soon
Get cozy, this is a long one…
First things first – as we approach the end of the mask mandate, I expect students to get more relaxed in their mask wearing next week. Please continue to ensure that students wear masks properly when indoors and not eating (over the mouth and nose) and do not get into power struggles with students about their mask. Provide direction to wear their mask correctly and move on. You all have done an amazing job of role modeling the expected behaviors we have wanted to see around masking and in reminding students of these expectations. I have heard plenty of not-so-great stories about staff behavior around masks from some of my colleagues and am so happy to be able to truthfully tell them that we have had no such issues (and then silently remind myself how happy I am to be working here, with all of you).
I’m going to repeat some comments from last week and remind you that our students and staff have a WIDE range of feelings about the ending of the mask mandate and that we are going to refrain from celebratory remarks about the end of the restrictions as well as from remarks that will make those choosing not to wear a mask that they are doing something wrong.
The wearing or not-wearing of a mask after March 11 remains a personal choice and it is not your place as an educator in this school to impart your personal views on others.
Additionally, in order to make things easy to find, I’m copy-and-pasting some district guidance around the new requirements here. Please, see me if you have questions about any of this.
Guidance for Schools After March 12
The Oregon Department of Education recently released new guidance for schools following the Governor’s announcement that lifted the state’s indoor mask mandate as of March 12.
Key updates include: face masks will be recommended and no longer required for students and staff in schools and on buses, sunsetting current quarantine protocols, and the continuation of isolation for those positive with COVID-19.
Masking becomes strongly recommended
Beginning March 12, Bend-La Pine Schools will continue to strongly recommend masks as a precautionary measure for students and staff, especially for those at high risk of contracting COVID-19, as well as during times when COVID-19 cases are at a high level in the community. The ultimate decision will rest with families and individuals.
Our staff will work to reinforce an environment of respect and inclusion for all members of our district, regardless of their personal health decisions.
Additionally, masks will no longer be required on buses after March 12.
No more quarantine after March 12
Effective March 12, 2022, Oregon will pause contact tracing and quarantine for the general population, including K-12 settings.
The Bend-La Pine Schools COVID-19 Response and Recovery Team will send exposure notifications at the classroom level at elementary schools and school wide at the middle and high school level. School-sanctioned teams, clubs, and activities will also be notified, as appropriate.
Isolation continues
Individuals who have COVID-19 must isolate for at least 5 days. Isolation may end after 5 full days if the individual is fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and symptoms have improved.
Layered mitigation continues
The district will continue to have layered mitigation and safety measures in place to protect the health of the students and staff in our schools. High quality masks and diagnostic tests will be available to those that choose to utilize these tools.
Maintaining a Sense of Community
Students may be feeling excited about the masking change, worried, nervous, anxious or even angry, especially if their choice is different from the majority of their peers. Staff members recognize that students will need opportunities to build empathy and understanding of the different choices/situations they will likely observe in their classrooms. Our responsibility is to honor individual choices and our goal is to create understanding, foster community and prevent divisiveness as much as possible.
Diversity | Equity | Inclusion (DEI) Newsletter
Take a few moments to read the spring Language, Culture, & Identity newsletter. Navigating the links is easiest if you download the attachment first.
Topics:
- How to talk about tough stuff (bias incidents, the Russia-Ukraine situation, and more)
- Upcoming events and key dates to have on your radar (important religious holidays, LGBTQIA+ advocacy event, Women’s History Month info, etc)
- How to laugh in different languages
Contact Ami Zepnewski if you have any questions, concerns or would like to share how things are going in your classroom.
Lucky Mariah Coin Collection Fundraiser
Break your piggy bank, empty your coin purse, check between your sofa cushions and did into your coin stash in your vehicle. Trust me…it’s all for a good cause. Last year we raised $2,200! The week of March 14 – 17 will be an easy-peasy fundraiser for sweet Mariah. So this a a great day to bring your coins to show your support. Click here for flyer.
Upcoming Section 125 Individual Meetings
Mark your calendar! In the past, an American Fidelity representative presented a 5-10 minute overview of the Section 125 benefits during SIW. Then, our Rep, Todd Wells, schedules a day at PCMS to meet with interested staff members one-on-one. We are foregoing the 5-10 minute overview to honor and protect your time, but have reserved Friday, April 22nd from 8:00 – 4:00 as the day Todd Wells will be onsite. Soon, we will be sharing a link to get on Todd’s schedule.
New Location for Employee Forms
BLS Business Office recently removed Employee Forms from the BLS Staff Portal. Forms that were typically downloaded from Staff Portal will now be accessed, completed and submitted electronically to Payroll via Frontline Central. Follow the steps below to submit forms going forward.
Steps to follow:
- Log into “Frontline Central“ with their BLS login.
- Under Navigation on the top left of the screen, click on “My Forms”.
- Select “Forms I can Start”.
- Scroll down to find the form you want to complete and select the”
button“.
- If you are using an iPad, the may not open. If it doesn’t open, Select “Current Forms” and select “Complete Form” next to the form you want to complete.
- Once you hit submit, the form will go directly Payroll.
- You can print the form for your reference, but you do not need to send a paper copy to payroll.
If you need any assistance come see me or contact payroll at [email protected] or 541.355.1123.
Helpful Links