7/28/20 Letter from the Leadership Team

Dear Parents,

If the past several months have taught us anything, it is vigilance. With information about the virus changing at such a rapid place, we are becoming used to a rhythm of research, reassessment and revision.

Members of the Leadership Team and COVID-19 Response Team have spent hours over the past weeks walking through the many scenarios of a school day on campus. We’ve consulted sister schools about their creative solutions, and spoken with faculty and families in our community who have raised new questions. Most significant, we have met with folks from the ODE and OHA, including state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger, to discuss the top predictions for this virus come fall.

It is in light of all of these things that PWS will be requiring face coverings for all faculty and staff, and all students age 5 and older, both inside our buildings and on our grounds. To be clear, the wearing of masks indoors is a state requirement; the decision to wear them outdoors regardless of distancing is ours. With every bit of data we have at our disposal today, we cannot in good conscience reach any other conclusion. The risk to our adult community members, in addition to our students, is too great.

Below is a graphic from page 24 of Oregon’s Ready Schools, Safe Learners plan. Both face coverings and face shields will be allowed at PWS, and barriers will be installed in offices as appropriate. A limited number of disposable masks will be available at school, and everyone in attendance will be asked to launder or change their masks at least daily. In choosing face coverings for your student, please remember the spirit of our learning environment and our dress code policy, and choose fabrics without distracting images, logos, or text.

Please know we make this decision in confidence, out of responsibility to our entire community. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support, and look forward to a time when such precautions will not be necessary.

Sincerely,

Jamie Quirk

on behalf of the Leadership Team