Will students need to wear face coverings to participate in after-school athletics?

Students are not required to wear masks indoors or outdoors when practicing or playing a competitive sport at any level outside of normal school hours.

Students and coaches who are not actively participating (i.e. on the sideline during an indoor or outdoor competition) are required to wear face coverings. Students and coaches are required to wear masks when in the weight room.

Will students need to socially distance?

Students are encouraged to exercise at least 3 feet of social distance from other students and at least 6 feet of distance from adults, to the extent possible. 

Under what circumstances will students need to quarantine?

If a student comes in contact with another student with a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19, the student does not need to quarantine if they maintained at least 3 feet of distance and were wearing a mask at the time of exposure. 

If a student comes in contact with an adult with a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19, the student does not need to quarantine if they had maintained at least 6 feet of distance and were wearing a mask at the time of exposure. 

If a student comes in contact with another student or an adult with a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19, the student does not need to quarantine if they're fully vaccinated and at least 14 days beyond completion of the vaccine series at the time of the exposure.

In the event of a positive case and potential exposure, trained staff will look at close contacts to determine which students need to be quarantined.

What are the rules for spectators at athletic events?

Masks are required at all times for indoor events.

For outdoor events, spectators are required to wear a mask as they enter the stadium or school facility. After entrance into the school facility, face coverings are optional for vaccinated spectators as long as they can maintain 6 feet of physical distance. Masks are required for unvaccinated spectators and 6 feet of physical distance is recommended. 

Are face coverings required to participate in co-curricular school activities and performing arts?

Students are required to wear face coverings for indoor and outdoor activities, especially when physical distancing can't be maintained.

Face coverings will not be required for students engaged in athletic practice or competition, when playing a musical instrument using the mouth, or when giving a speech or performing. 

Will students need to socially distance?

Students are encouraged to exercise at least 3 feet of social distance from other students and at least 6 feet of distance from adults, to the maximum extent possible. 

Under what circumstances will students need to quarantine?

If a student comes in contact with another student with a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19, the student does not need to quarantine if they maintained at least 3 feet of distance and were wearing a mask at the time of exposure. 

If a student comes in contact with an adult with a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19, the student does not need to quarantine if they had maintained at least 6 feet of distance and were wearing a mask at the time of exposure. 

If a student comes in contact with another student or an adult with a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19, the student does not need to quarantine if they're fully vaccinated and at least 14 days beyond completion of the vaccine series at the time of the exposure.

Trained staff will conduct contact tracing and communicate with affected students and families in a timely manner.

What are the rules for spectators?

Spectators are required to wear masks at all times for both indoor and outdoor co-curricular activities. Spectators are encouraged to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between families/groups to the extent possible. 

How will 3 feet of distancing be maintained while in the classroom?

To the extent possible, student chairs and desks will be arranged to accommodate a minimum of 3 feet of distancing. There may be instances during the school day when students are less than 3 feet for one another. In addition, other mitigation strategies will be used including mask wearing and frequent handwashing. 

Will students share supplies?

Sharing of supplies will be limited to the extent possible.

Are specialists, substitutes and maintenance employees going to be moving from school to school?

Some staff members will be moving between buildings. All staff are required to wear masks and exercise 6 feet of distancing with students, when possible.

How often will school spaces be cleaned?

Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces will follow the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC advises that when no people with positive or presumptive COVID-19 cases are known to have been in a space, cleaning once a day is usually enough to sufficiently remove any virus that may be on surfaces and help maintain a healthy facility. District custodians will clean and disinfect a space when a sick person or someone who tested positive for COVID-19 has been in that space within the last 24 hours. School custodians will also maintain their regular routine cleaning protocols at all school buildings.

What products are used for cleaning?

As needed, the District uses three different models of Protexus Electrostatic Sprayers. The District uses Evaclean PURTABS Disinfection Tablets as its primary disinfectant solution, which is hospital grade. For high-touch surfaces, the District also uses the Solsta 764 Quaternary disinfectant from WAXIE.

What rooms will get additional cleaning?

Locker rooms, health rooms, and bathrooms will be cleaned nightly using Protexus Electrostatic Sprayers. These school areas are more prone to germs given the nature of the spaces. 

What does the contact tracing process look like?

Just like last school year, the contact tracing process starts when an individual in a school building tests positive for COVID-19. When a school learns of a positive case, a trained staff member begins the process with an interview of the infected individual. Staff who conduct contact tracing typically consist of district nursing staff and health assistants.

What do I do if my student tests positive for COVID-19?

If your student tests positive for COVID-19, please contact your school office immediately so that trained staff can begin the contact tracing process as needed. Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 should not come to school.

Will I be alerted about a positive case of COVID-19 at my student's school?

In the event of a positive case of COVID-19, the parent-guardian of any student who is determined to have been exposed during the contact tracing process will be contacted by a district staff member to determine if quarantine is needed. This will often happen by phone call and a follow-up letter. In the event of multiple exposures, a family may be notified only by letter.  At the Primary Level only, parent-guardians will be alerted by email if there is a positive case of COVID-19 in their student’s classroom even if their student was determined not to have been exposed.

The entire school community will be alerted in the event of a significant outbreak at the school. Schools will not send school-wide notifications for every individual case of COVID-19, however. The district’s COVID-19 dashboard will be updated daily to display the total number of recent and cumulative cases of COVID-19 in each school building.

How can I find out how many COVID-19 cases have been reported in the district?

​​In an effort to be fully transparent, the District is publishing data on reported positive or presumptive COVID-19 cases among our students and staff. This data is collected by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and is published daily in the District's Online COVID-19 Dashboard. The Dashboard is updated as frequently as possible, however, please know that there can ocassionally be lag time between data collection and data publication. 

Is testing available if my student develops COVID-19 symptoms during the school day?

Optional COVID-19 testing may be offered to a student if the student has developed new sympotoms of COVID-19 while at school. Testing is performed by a trained district nurse or health assistant. 

COVID-19 testing for students is optional and parent-guardians may refuse consent. 

Will the district be participating in the state's weekly testing program for students?

We want to let families that optional, free weekly COVID-19 testing will soon be available to all West Linn-Wilsonville students, regardless of vaccination status, through OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University). 

The district has been approved for the state’s COVID-19 Screening Testing Program in partnership with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and OHSU. The district is currently awaiting the official start date from OHSU. 

Once the timeline from OHSU has been confirmed, we will provide interested families with consent and authorization forms (in English and Spanish) to sign up. In the meantime, we are providing families with advance notice so that they can consider if this program is a good fit for their student and family.

How the Program Works

1. To participate, a parent-guardian will fill out an OHA consent form and OHSU authorization form. Students age 15 and older may sign up themselves, per OHA, through their school nurse.
2. Families who opt in to this weekly testing program will receive a testing kit from the school every week. Students will take testing kits home to be administered by a parent-guardian. The program utilizes a COVID-19 Spit (Saliva) Test and includes detailed instructions for sample collection.
3. Students will bring their completed test sample to school where it will be stored in a secure, temperature-controlled location before pick-up and delivery to the OHSU testing lab.  OHSU coordinates all deliveries through their own courier system.
4. OHSU will contact parent-guardians with results by email within 24 hours. The parent-guardian will be contacted by phone in the case of a positive test result. 
5. Testing data is shared with OHA and Clackamas County Public Health Department. The district will also be notified in the event of a positive case.

The program takes place weekly and is available to all interested students regardless of vaccination status. The program is funded by the state and is free for families. 

Stay Tuned

We will let families know as soon as the OHSU timeline has been established and opt-in forms are available for families to fill out. Thank you for your patience as we work with OHSU to implement this program in all of our schools.

Will students be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine to attend in-person learning?

West Linn-Wilsonville schools are not requiring students to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Students' enrollment will not be impacted by whether or not they receive the vaccine. When determining whether or not an individual needs to quarantine after a COVID-19 exposure, vaccine proof may be requested by the local public health department. Students would then have a choice to provide proof of vaccination or quarantine if proof is not provided.

WLWV follows guidance from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) in regards to which vaccinations are required for students to attend our schools and what exemptions are acceptable. At this time, ODE and OHA have not required the COVID-19 vaccine for students, ages 12-17. 

Where can my student get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Students ages 12 and up are encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you would like information about where to find a vaccine, visit the state's Find a COVID Vaccine in Oregon website. 

Will West Linn-Wilsonville staff be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Per Governor Kate Brown’s recent order, West Linn-Wilsonville will now require all staff members to provide proof of vaccination; exemptions may be made for eligible medical or religious reasons. 

For those of you who need to be vaccinated, please check the state’s Get Vaccinated Oregon website or call 211 for the nearest vaccination location. According to the governor’s mandate, all employees must receive the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine OR the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine AND be at least 14 days past their final vaccine dose by October 18, 2021. 

Will I know if my student's teacher is vaccinated before October 18?

The District will not be releasing the vaccination status of individual staff members.

Will volunteers be required to show proof of vaccination?

Per the Governor's order, all volunteers will be required to show proof of vaccination to volunteer in a school. Schools will only utilize essential volunteers to start the school year to minimize the potential of exposure to staff and students.

Will the District be sponsoring any vaccine clinics?

The District hosted two vaccination clinics last year and may host future clinics. We will continue to keep families updated regarding vaccination opportunities. 

Will students and classes take field trips this school year?

West Linn-Wilsonville schools will not take field trips to indoor venues to start the school year. Schools may participate in approved outdoor field trips on a limited basis where stable cohorts and health and safety protocols can be ensured. The district will continue to monitor conditions.

Can a student be exempted from wearing a face covering?

Similar to last year, students with documented medical issues that prevent face covering wearing may be exempt. Talk to your school principal for more information.

Will masks be required on school buses?

As part of a federal mandate, passengers and drivers must wear a mask on school buses. Drivers do not need to wear masks if they're the only person on the bus.

What should I do if I don’t want my student to wear a mask?

Students should apply to our WLWV K12 Online Academy as soon as possible. 

Will students be able to remove masks while eating or drinking?

Students will be able to remove masks while eating and drinking.

Will students be able to remove masks during outdoor recess?

Students will be able to remove masks during outdoor recess.

Will students be able to remove masks during outdoor classes?

Students will be able to remove masks during outdoor classes.

Will students be able to remove masks during band?

Students will be able to remove their masks while playing instruments that require use of their mouths (i.e. trumpet). Alternatively, they can opt to wear masks with slits designed for this purpose.

Students who don't play mouthed instruments will be required to wear a mask while in band class. 

Will students be able to remove masks during choir class?

No, masks are required during choir class.

Will students be able to remove masks during P.E.?

Students participating in certain indoor sports during P.E. where masks may present a strangulation hazard may remove their masks. Otherwise, masks will remain on. 

Students participating in outdoor P.E. classes won't be required to wear masks. 

When else are masks required?

Students and staff must wear masks when engaging in educational activities such as field trips or off-campus classes during regular school hours and when engaging in educational activities indoors but outside of regular school hours. 

Can students wear face shields instead of masks?

A face shield may be worn instead of a mask if an individual cannot wear a mask for medical reasons. Students must have documentation from their doctors. Masks are preferred over face shields, as they provide better containment of small aerosols that can be produced while talking.

What type of face covering or mask should my student wear?

Universal and correct use of face coverings keep students learning in-person. Please refer to proper face covering guidance from the CDC when trying to find a mask for your student to wear while at school. 

Masks should have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric; completely cover your nose and mouth; fit snugly against the sides of your face and don't have gaps; and havea nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask.

Will school meals be free for all students?

Yes, all meals are free for students enrolled in West Linn-Wilsonville schools. Nothing is required for students to access a free meal. Meals will no longer be available for children not enrolled in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, however.

Will students be able to remove masks while eating or drinking?

Students will be able to remove masks while eating and drinking.

Will students eat lunch outside?

If possible, students will eat lunch outside, weather permitting. The ability to eat outside depends on several factors unique to each school campus. 

How will cafeterias be set up to comply with the recommended 3 feet of distancing?

To the extent possible, students will be spaced to accommodate a minimum of 3 feet of distancing when eating inside. However, depending on the school building, that may be difficult as school cafeteria configurations vary greatly. Students may also eat in classrooms in some instances. 

What happens if a student is diagnosed with a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19?

The student will have to isolate at home for 10 days and is encouraged to seek medical care.

Will students need to quarantine if a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19 is reported in school?

It is possible a student will need to quaranting if:

• If a student comes in contact with another student with a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19, the student does not need to quarantine if they maintained at least 3 feet of distance, were wearing a mask at the time of exposure, and are not exhibiting any symptoms. 
• If a student comes in contact with an adult with a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19, the student does not need to quarantine if they had maintained at least 6 feet of distance, were wearing a mask at the time of exposure, and are not exhibiting symptoms. 
• If a student comes in contact with another student or an adult with a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19, the student does not need to quarantine if they're fully vaccinated, are without symptoms, and at least 14 days beyond completion of the vaccine series at the time of the exposure.

Through contact tracing, trained staff will review close contacts in classrooms, in cafeterias and on buses to determine which students need to be quarantined.

Will students need to quarantine if a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19 is reported on the bus?

The current exemption rule of 3 feet and mask-wearing does not apply to busing. If there's a positive or presumptive positive case on the bus, all students who are within 6 feet and unvaccinated will have to quarantine. If close contacts cannot be determined, the entire bus cohort may be required to quarantine for the safety of all students. Assigned seating will be utilize to minimize the potential for exposure and the need for quarantine.

Students who are vaccinated and are not showing COVID-19 symptoms will not have to quarantine.  

If a student is quarantined because of a positive or presumptive COVID-19 exposure on the bus, will that student's class also have to quarantine?

Only the bus-riding student (unvaccinated, or vaccinated and showing symptoms) would need to quarantine; that's considered to be a primary exposure. The bus-riding student's class would not have to quarantine.

However, in the case of the student who actually is positive or presumptive for COVID-19, that student's classmates would be evaluated to determine close contact (see above) and may be subject to quarantine.

How will parents be notified if a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19 is reported at school or on the bus?

Your student's school will contact you if COVID-19 has been confirmed. The affected student or staff member will not be identified.

Trained school staff will identify any close contacts. 

The same procedure will be followed for positive or presumptive cases involving a bus rider. Parents of students on the bus will be notified.

If a teacher tests positive for COVID-19, do all of the teacher’s students have to quarantine?

If a school cannot confirm that 6 feet of distancing was consistently maintained during the school day, any unvaccinated students and vaccinated students showing COVID-19 symptoms will have to quarantine.

If a student’s parent/guardian, sibling or immediate family member tests positive for COVID-19 and that student quarantines, will other students who’ve been around that student need to quarantine? 

No. Only unvaccinated students who are in close contact with a positive or presumptive positive case need to quarantine. 

Updated 9/23/21

Will students be required to maintain at least 6 feet of distance during recess?

To the extent possible, students will be required to maintain at least 6 feet of distance during recess.

Will masks be required?

Students are not required to wear masks during outdoor recess if they are able to maintain 6 feet of distance from other staff and students. Schools will create areas for play to allow for mask breaks as much as possible. Masks are recommendedfor all students.

Will equipment be cleaned after each use?

There will be no cleaning of playground equipment after use. Students will be encouraged to wash their hands upon re-entering school.

When is the first day of school?

The first day of school for all West Linn-Wilsonville schools and students, including the WLWV K12 Online Academy, is Wednesday, Sept. 8. 

What time does school start and end?

Primary Schools: 7:50 a.m. - 2:10 p.m.

Middle Schools: 9:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

High Schools: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Preschool: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Will students be required to socially distance?

In accordance with the recommendations from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), classrooms will be set up to maintain 3 feet of social distancing to the extent possible. When it's not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, it will be especially important to layer multiple prevention strategies, such as mask wearing and frequent handwashing.

Students are encouraged to exercise at least 6 feet of social distance from other students on the bus, in the cafeteria, in other indoor spaces and on the playground, to the extent possible.

Students are encouraged to exercise at least 6 feet of social distance from adults at all times, to the extent possible.

How is my student's teacher supposed to assist my student if they have to maintain 6 feet of distance?

There may be times when a staff member needs to get closer than 6 feet to assist a student. However, as long as that staff member doesn't spend more than 15 minutes (cumulative total per day), the interaction does not constitute a close contact. In addition, all staff are required to wear masks.

Will primary school students be in cohorts?

Yes, primary school students will be in class cohorts to minimize the potential for exposure or need for quarantine. There may be few instances where students come into contact with students outside their cohort during the school day. These interactions will be limited as much as possible. 

Will middle school students be in cohorts?

In most cases, students will not attend their courses in cohorts. Schools will emphasize face coverings and distancing as strategies to support student health and safety.

Will high school and option students be in cohorts?

Students will not attend their courses in cohorts. Schools will emphasize face coverings and distancing as strategies to support student health and safety.

How will middle and high school students move between classes?

Students will move from one class to another as they have in the past. Schools will emphasize face coverings and distancing as strategies to support student health and safety.

What is the student screening process for COVID-19 symptoms?

West Linn-Wilsonville Schools will once again use the three step process for screening students for COVID-19.

Step 1: Parents/guardians are expected to perform a daily health evaluation before sending students to school. If a student is exhibiting a fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, a new loss of taste or smell or any of the symptoms, the student should stay home.

Step 2: School staff will give a visual screening of students upon arrival at school for COVID-19 symptoms. Any student displaying or experiencing symptoms will be escorted to the health room for further evaluation.

Step 3: A district nurse or health assistant will take the student's temperature and screen for COVID-19 symptoms. The parent-guardian may be called and asked to take the student home or get the student tested for COVID-19. 

What happens if a student exhibits COVID-19 symptoms at school?

If a student exhibits or complains of any COVID-like symptoms, an adult will accompany the student to the school isolation/health room. A school nurse or health assistant will then take the student’s temperature. If the student presents with COVID-like symptoms or symptoms warranting exclusion, the student will be instructed to wait in the isolation room until a parent/guardian can pick up the student. The student will be encouraged to see a health care provider for evaluation.

Updated 9/20/21

What is Temporary Remote Learning?

Temporary Remote Learning is what students will engage in if they need to quarantine at home due to exposure to COVID-19. Temporary Remote Learning (TRL) varies depending on a number of circumstances. 

Temporary Remote Learning (TRL): Individual Students or Partial Class

Will masks be required on school buses?

As part of a federal mandate, passengers and drivers must wear a mask on school buses. Drivers do not need to wear masks if they're the only person on the bus.

What about physical distancing on the bus?

Spacing on buses will be dependent on how many students are present during a given ride. There will be no mandatory 3-foot or 6-foot distancing requirement.

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recognize that many Oregonians are asking why there are differences between buses and school facilities with respect to distancing. There are important public health distinctions in these environments, and these distinctions require diverse solutions:

• Time spent: While students ride the bus for different amounts of time, generally, these trips are shorter than time spent inside school buildings, making bus rides safer.
• Frequent door opening/closing and open windows help fresh air circulate in the buses, which lowers the risk of infection.

Will students have assigned seats on the bus?

Buses will utilize assigned assigned seats to help with possible contact tracing and minimize the likelihood of exposure or need for quarantine. 

Will students need to quarantine if a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19 is reported on the bus?

The current exemption rule of 3 feet and mask-wearing does not apply to busing. If there's a positive or presumptive positive case on the bus, all students who are within 6 feet and unvaccinated will have to quarantine. If close contacts cannot be determined, the entire bus cohort may be required to quarantine for the safety of all students. 

Students who are vaccinated and are not showing COVID-19 symptoms will not have to quarantine.  

Are vaccinations required for vendors or contractors connected to the West Linn-Wilsonville School District?

In alignment with the governor’s Temporary Administrative Order PH 39-2021, all employees of contractors, vendors and school-based programs who regularly come into contact with students will need to be vaccinated by Oct. 18 unless there is a documented medical or religious exemption. 

What is the district’s plan for ventilation in schools? 

According to ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), proper ventilation for prevention of COVID-19 particles requires filters with a rating of MERV 13 or higher. All classrooms in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District have ventilation filters that exceed the MERV 13 rating, with the exception of some select classrooms in the district’s oldest schools. Those classrooms have been equipped with HEPA Filters, which are more efficient than MERV 16 filters. 

To ensure adequate air flow and ventilation in classrooms, outside air intake has been adjusted to maximize the amount of outside air. Currently, systems are set at 50% outside air, which is adequate to achieve four air changes per hour, more than recommended by ASHRAE. 

Ventilation is more difficult in large, open spaces such as gymnasiums. In those areas, the district has increased outside air intake as much as outside temperatures will allow. This is in alignment with ASHRAE and Ready Schools, Safe Learners recommendations.

Temporary ventilation systems are currently in place at certain school sites while capital bond construction projects wrap up this summer and early fall. Ventilation systems were upgraded at multiple school sites this summer through capital bond prjoects. Ventilation meets all ASHRAE, OHA, and CDC standards at all schools. 

Will visitors be allowed on district property, including schools, during school hours?

Visitors will be allowed in a school’s front office, but are asked to stay for 15 minutes or less during the school day if possible. For example, parents can drop off paperwork in the office or pick up a child.

Do visitors have to wear masks?

Visitors must be masked. Unmasked visitors will not be allowed for any length of time.

Will visitors have to provide proof of vaccination?

No, visitors do not need to provide proof of vaccination.

What about parent-teacher conferences or IEP meetings?

Meetings will be conducted virtually or by phone. Meetings will not occur in person at this time.

Will visitors be allowed to have lunch in the cafeteria with students?

No, visitors will not be allowed past the front office.

Will parents-guardians and student be able to attend outdoor open houses and welcome events prior to September 8?

Visitors will be allowed to attend open houses and welcome events prior to September 8. All visitors should be masked and practice social distancing between family groups. 

What about athletic competitions, drama performances or other indoor or outdoor events during non-school hours?

Visitors are required to wear masks at all indoor events. Visitors are also encouraged to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between families/groups, to the extent possible.

At outdoor events during non-school hours, masks are required unless visitors are able to maintain 6 feet of distance at all times. We recognize that social distancing at some athletic competitions may be challenging, so please only attend if you're comfortable doing so. 

Will volunteers be allowed on district property, including schools, during regular school hours?

Schools will be limited to essential volunteers to start the year. When the time comes, all volunteers will be registered in HelpCounter and complete a criminal background check. Volunteers are required to wear face coverings at all time and must provide proof of vaccination. 

Anyone experiencing symptoms of infectious illness, such as flu or COVID-19, should stay home and seek testing and care, regardless of vaccination status.

How will volunteers provide proof of vaccination?

The District is currently developing a process for verifying proof of vaccination.

How does a volunteer apply for a medical or religious vaccination exemption?

Under the governor’s Temporary Administrative Order PH 39-2021, a medical exception must be corroborated by a document signed by a medical provider, who is not the individual seeking the exception, certifying that the individual has a physical or mental impairment that limits the individual’s ability to receive a COVID-19 vaccination based on a specified medical diagnosis, and that specifies whether the impairment is temporary in nature or permanent.

A religious exception must be corroborated by a document, on a form prescribed by the Oregon Health Authority, signed by the individual stating that the individual is requesting an exception from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief and include a statement describing the way in which the vaccination requirement conflicts with the religious observance, practice or belief of the individual.

The District is currently developing a process for accepting this documentation.

WLWV K12 Online Academy Based Within Each School

Unlike some online charter programs or schools that are separated from their school district, our model is uniquely integrated within each of our neighborhood schools. This advantage allows our students to still stay involved with their neighborhood friends, school activities, field trips, principal and office staff, school counselor, library, theatre program, athletic program, district art shows and a variety of events and resources while learning from home. Your child remains a student of their local school in the WLWV school district and we remain committed to their success.

Students in the Academy Assigned to Teacher-Librarians
We have increased our part-time teacher-librarians to full-time at each school next year in order to work directly with our Academy students. They will assist families with creating a learning plan (schedule), maintaining connection to school and activities, assigning final grades, administering state assessments, and assisting with any academic or technical concerns. Our Teacher-Librarians are all certified teachers, and have taught for years in the classroom alongside this role. They are adept with grade level curriculum, technology and digital learning platforms. Most importantly, they are excited and eager to strengthen and grow this new program into the future. The parent-guardian will still serve as their student’s main learning coach during the school day.

Daily and Weekly Contact with Academy Students

At the K-8 level, students will have the option of participating in a daily Zoom check-in with their Teacher-Librarian and other Academy students from their school. This meeting will help center the day on the learning ahead and provide an opportunity for a social check-in and personalized attention. Additional weekly connections will be scheduled based on the students’ needs and preferences. At the High School level, community Zoom meetings will occur 2-3 times a week, with check-ins between the students and Teacher-Librarian based on the students’ needs and preferences.

WKOA Office Hours and Learning Hub Support

Each school’s Teacher-Librarian will be each family’s key contact person for any academic or program support needed. Regular office hours will be set up in addition to access by email and phone. Each school’s library will serve as a Learning Hub for Academy students to arrange times to drop in for possible academic or technical support, for family conferences or meetings with the Teacher-Librarian, or a place for a small group of Academy students to connect for part of the day, like a project or tutorial.  We want our Academy students to feel welcomed, at home and comfortable at their neighborhood school even while learning at home.

WKOA Curriculum Model

As students will be learning independently at home but still enrolled as a WLWV student, it is important that they have access to grade-level, Oregon state standards with built-in assessment systems to monitor progress and assign completion of courses and credits. The District will continue using the Stride (formerly FuelEd) digital curriculum resource. While it provides the standards and curriculum structure, it does allow students and parents to be more selective about content and text choices.  

With our uniquely integrated district model, Academy students can enhance their home learning by participating in school field trips, assemblies, guest lectures, ISEF science fairs, Field Day, clubs and competitions, and other on-campus events, as interested.  

Access to Important and Expert Support Systems

Academy students will continue to receive support from our Special Education and English Language Development teachers for any specialized instruction needs.  Academy students and parents can access their school counselor or district social worker for any social-emotional or family support needed.  High school counselors will continue to work with Academy students on college and career preparations.  

WKOA families will continue to use their neighborhood school’s ListServ to receive school and district news and updates, helping them stay connected to activities and events throughout the year. 

WKOA Enrollment Remains Open

While there is no deadline to enroll in WKOA, letting your neighborhood school know of your plans as soon as possible will help us start planning for your student’s courses and success next year.  We will be hosting WKOA informational sessions in June to meet your school’s Teacher-Librarian and learn more about the program.  In the meantime, please contact your neighborhood school secretary or WKOA District Coordinator Julie Lane to enroll.