Lately, the question of “to school or not to school?” (and how to do it) has plagued parents and teachers almost as much as COVID-19. As the school year approached, school districts were adapting plans for what the first day of school would look like, onsite or online. Some districts had released plans for onsite or hybrid instruction, while Hermiston School District had decided to begin the year on Sept. 8 fully online.

On July 29, the Oregon Health Authority and Governor Brown issued new health metrics requirements that widely impacted schools in Morrow and Umatilla counties. To resume in-person school instruction, counties must now meet these requirements three weeks in a row:

• 10 or fewer cases per 100,000 people over seven days

• Test positivity of 5% or less over seven days

With Umatilla County leading the state in per capita COVID-19 cases, this means nearly every local school district will follow Hermiston’s lead and start the school year using an online distance learning model. Some districts now have to scramble to train staff and will need to push back their school start dates. School districts will be contacting parents by the week of August 10 to clarify the plan changes going forward. Check your school district’s website for updated information.

In schools across the state that will hold classes onsite, new guidance from the Oregon Dept. of Education (ODE) now requires face coverings for all students and staff, K-12. Earlier guidelines recommended, but did not require, face coverings for 6th to 12th grade students and did not require staff to wear face coverings in all circumstances. The new requirement is in response to mounting evidence that face coverings are effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19.

To help school districts meet this new requirement, ODE is distributing five million face coverings to school districts, for use by students and staff. Donated by FEMA, these will be distributed this month to Education Service Districts and then to school districts. ODE defines these products as face coverings and not masks, as they are not considered medical grade.

And in the Pendleton, there’s one more notable calendar change this year: Classes will be held the week of Sept. 14-18, usually a holiday week during the Pendleton Round-Up. With the cancellation of rodeo events it will be just another school week — unless the guidelines change again.

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Jennifer Colton is news director of KOHU and KQFM, and mother of three, based in Pendleton.