See the SFSD Safe Return to In-Person Instruction & Continuity of Services Plan, as well as the Specific Communicable Disease Management Plan for complete details on the reopening plans for the 2021-22 school year, and check back at this page in the future for FAQ’s and other information as changes occur.

To see archived information for the 2020-21 School Year, see the 2020-21 Planning Updates page.

For help determining whether or not you or your child should come to school today, please utilize these flowcharts:

FAQ

Q. Will masks be required in schools this year?
A. On February 28, 2022, OHA announced that it would lift the statewide indoor face covering rule (OAR 333-019-1025) as well as the statewide K12 indoor face covering Oregon Department of Education 15 rule (333-019-1015) on March 11, 2022 at 11:59 P.M. This means that beginning March 12, the decision to require universal masking in school settings will rest with local decision makers in school districts, charter schools, private schools, and local public health authorities. In specific areas of a school defined as a health care setting (areas such as school health rooms, isolation spaces, counseling offices where mental health counseling services are delivered, and school based health centers) masks are required under OAR 333-019-1011 Masking Requirements to Control COVID-19 in Health Care Settings.] The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), OHA and ODE continue to strongly advise the universal use of face coverings in schools in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and minimize the lost time learning in school due to illness when county COVID-19 Community Levels are high. At all levels, individuals may choose to mask based on their individual risk assessment (e.g., increased risk for severe disease or family or community members at increased risk for severe disease). Masking should be normalized and welcomed within the school community.

Q. Are staff and students required to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
A. Teachers, educators, support staff, and volunteers in K-12 schools are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18th or six weeks from FDA approval, whichever is later. This requirement applies to all K-12 schools across the state, including both public and private institutions. Religious and medical exceptions apply. At this time, students are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of school attendance.

Q: What counts as a close contact/exposure to COVID-19?
A: The important numbers to remember here are 6 feet, and 15 minutes. That is, a close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of a confirmed or presumptive COVID-19 case for 15 minutes or more within one day.

On February 28, 2022, the CDC updated their guidance regarding case investigation and contact tracing. Universal case investigation and contact tracing are no longer recommended outside of high-risk settings. Effective March 12, 2022, Oregon will pause contact tracing and quarantine for the general population, including K-12 settings.

If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19, you are recommended to (regardless of vaccination status):

    • Watch for COVID-19 like symptoms for 10 days after your last exposure.
    • If you develop any symptoms, stay home and seek testing.
    • Consider testing approximately 5 days after your exposure.
    • Wear a well-fitting mask around other people for 10 days following exposure.
    • Avoid unnecessary visits with high-risk individuals.

“Fully vaccinated” means;

  • An individual age 18 or over has received the booster or completed the primary series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines within the last 5 months, or completed the primary series of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last 2 months.
  • An individual ages 5-17 has completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.