School Board Urges Vaccines For Staff Before Reopening

Image of Covid Vaccine BottleSchool Board Urges Vaccines For Staff Before Reopening

Citing high COVID rates and a desire to protect Bethel staff from possible infection, the Bethel School Board has given Superintendent Chris Parra direction to hold off the start of in-person instruction until staff have a chance to receive the COVID vaccine.

In a School Board work session that lasted nearly three hours, the Bethel Board indicated a strong desire to get students back into the classroom. However, they also expressed serious concerns about putting adult school staff in jeopardy of contracting the virus.

While the District will continue to prepare for reopening – starting with its youngest students – the date for beginning in-person instruction will depend on the availability of a vaccine for school staff.

Oregon Governor Brown last week prioritized K-12 staff around the state for receiving vaccinations, but access to enough doses has clouded the timeline when vaccines will be available.

During the work session the Bethel School Board learned about the extensive plans the District has in place, including health and safety protocols, Hybrid and Distance Learning options, nursing support, adequate staffing, nutrition, and transportation.

Updates on a possible reopening to in-person instruction will be shared as soon as they are available. Meanwhile, thank you for continuing to engage your children in Distance Learning. Please continue to encourage and teach healthy practices, such as mask wearing, thorough handwashing, covering coughs, and social distancing.

We all look forward to being able to safely reopen Bethel schools as soon as possible and welcome students back into the classroom.

 

La junta escolar quiere vacunas para el personal antes de reabri

Citando las altas tasas de COVID y el deseo de proteger al personal de Bethel de una posible infección, la Junta Escolar de Bethel le dio al Superintendente Chris Parra la dirección de posponer el inicio de la instrucción en persona hasta que el personal tenga la oportunidad de recibir las vacunas COVID.

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1 Response
  1. Lisa Hanson

    I appreciate the serious thought and planning for reopening and agree whole heartedly in your decision for staff to access the vaccine first. Thank you for all you do!