ASHLAND, Ore. — All students in the Ashland School District will be learning remotely until at least the beginning of November, according to the latest update from school officials.
A previous plan released on July 30 indicated that students in grades K-3 might be in classrooms as early as September, but Jackson County's most recent COVID-19 data has effectively dashed those hopes based on state-mandated metrics.
"Based on the guidance provided by the state last week in the ODE and OHA Community COVID-19 Metrics, the Ashland School District has made the decision to start school for all grades in a Distance Learning off-site only model through the first quarter of the school year," school officials said. "We will review data trends in October and reconsider a hybrid option for the second quarter."
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The District said that making a firm decision now will give families and staff more time to prepare for a Comprehensive Distance Learning program through the first quarter.
"Our hope and efforts are to offer a safe return to campus when county and state metrics are consistently at or below state target," the District said. "We are very aware of the challenges Distance Learning presents to working families and to students who need social connection to learn well. We value your partnership in keeping our kids, teachers, staff and families healthy, and in making this an amazing year for learning and connecting as we move forward together."
The Ashland School District is working to solidify a daily and weekly schedule for online learning based on state guidance, and an outline of the schedule is forthcoming. Students will be using Canvas, a learning management system that several other Jackson County districts have said they plan to use.
The first day of school for all Ashland School District students is set for September 8, a change from the original start date.
