Masking Guidelines - Update
McKenzie Families, 

We promised to keep you updated on health developments and masking at school. You may have heard about the announcement yesterday from the Oregon Health Authority stating that the COVID-19 mask mandate for Oregon schools (and all public indoor spaces) will now end March 19 rather than March 31.

From the onset of the pandemic, McKenzie schools have relied upon the guidance and expertise of our state health authority and state partner agencies as the experts in response to this health crisis. This continues with the newest announcement. It is encouraging to hear that the Oregon Health Authority remains confident in the declining impact of COVID-19 on our day-to-day activities. We are still waiting for information from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).

We will begin the engagement process with families and staff when we have all of the information regarding protocols for quarantine, contact tracing, and testing that meet the current conditions of the pandemic. We want your input but want to make sure we have all of the correct information to share with you.

For the time being, face coverings, as well as all current COVID 19 protocols, will remain in place.

Vaccination still proves to be the best way to protect you and your family from COVID-19.

Thank you for your continued flexibility and patience over the past two years. We look forward to having clear information from ODE and hearing your perspectives soon. 

Please reach out to me if you have any questions,

Lane Tompkins,
Superintendent
Additional Health Protocols
Physical Distancing: Reflecting the guidance, we will continue to support and promote the physical distancing of students and staff. We will continue to distance in classrooms, the playground and during transitions when students are standing in line. Floor markings will remain a fixture of McKenzie’s spaces.

Cohorts: Students will continue to be tracked and placed into stable cohorts to the greatest extent possible, especially in our younger grades who cannot benefit from vaccinations. Cohorting helps reduce the number of people exposed and helps identify those who may have been exposed in case of an identified COVID-19 case in the school.

Entry Screening, Isolation and Testing: Students will continue to be screened for illness when arriving at school each day. Preventing ill students from coming to school helps prevent the spread of many illnesses beyond COVID-19Students who show sickness symptoms during screening or during the day will be referred to our isolation room in the elementary office. Parents will be notified to pick up their student. We will continue to provide COVID-19 rapid tests this year to ill students with parental consent. The District is required to exclude students who demonstrate primary symptoms of COVID-19 as we were last year.

Hand Hygiene: Regular hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer will continue to be emphasized throughout the school year. Practicing safe hygiene helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses we regularly encounter at school.

Increased Sanitation: McKenzie’s custodial staff will continue focusing on increased sanitation efforts throughout the buildings, playgrounds and other common areas. 

Air Purifiers: Thanks to a generous donation by BlueAir last year, McKenzie’s classrooms will continue to have HEPA filters in place during the year. This filtration can help ensure cleaner air for students and staff.

Increased Airflow: Buildings will continue to be opened up as much as possible, including doors and windows to get more fresh outdoor air circulated into classrooms.

Training: Regular training for staff regarding health and safety protocols will occur at the beginning of the year and regularly during the remainder of the school year.

Visitor Policy: Visitors must wear face coverings and check in at the office for health screening. Visitors will not be allowed in the building past the office. 

Quarantining and contact tracing: If we have a confirmed case of COVID-19 at school, we will work directly with our district and LCPH to communicate with families. If students must quarantine, they will have access to class materials and assignments. 
Weekly COVID Screenings

In partnership with the University of Oregon, we are offering weekly covid screening testing for interested families.

Please follow the link to learn more. 
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