These are all the messages sent to families during the COVID-19 outbreak. The most recent update is at the top of the page. This information was sent in English, Spanish, Russian, and Arabic.
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6/10/20

Dear Gladstone families,

While this school year did not end as expected, as it draws to a close I hope we will remember not just the challenges of distance learning, but also the good times we shared last fall and winter. From the GCCF Harvest Festival and John Wetten’s Battle of the Books to Kraxberger Outdoor School and Spirit Week at Gladstone High, students made new friends, built new skills, and helped our community.

No doubt you are wondering what school may look like in the fall. The state released guidelines this morning that will be updated throughout the summer. Before we begin detailed planning, our next step will be to gather input from parents and staff to help us understand the best ways to meet student needs given COVID-19 protocols.

At this point, no one knows what the spread of the virus will look like moving forward. Perhaps a vaccine will soon be available, or maybe we will see a resurgence in our area. Given that uncertainty, district leaders are now looking at a range of scenarios so we can continue educating students while adapting to a changing situation as needed. 

I remain very hopeful that classroom instruction can resume this fall so teachers and students can work together directly. Reopening schools will require careful social distancing, and plans for that are already underway. In this scenario, we anticipate that some adjustments to school schedules and routines may be needed due to spacing requirements.

Another possibility is a hybrid education model in which students alternate between distance learning and classroom learning. This is a way to allow more space in classrooms while ensuring that each student also has some direct classroom instruction.

Fully remote comprehensive learning is another option to meet the needs of students with health risks or in the event that the virus resurges for a time. To prepare for that possibility, we are working with our education team on ways to boost student engagement, include more teacher feedback, and increase academic progress.

We will keep you informed throughout the summer as we know more about our plan for fall. The first day of school will be Tuesday, September 8 for grades K-6 and grade 9. Grades 7, 8, and 10-12 will start on Wednesday, September 9. A copy of next year’s school calendar is attached.

So we can make teacher assignments and plan course schedules, please complete online registration verification for current students using ParentVue as soon as possible. Kindergarten registration information is at http://gladstone.k12.or.us/center/

Thank you for your patience and flexibility through this challenging end to the school year. Through it all, I appreciate that the one thing that remained constant was the strong commitment of both parents and staff to care for our students. 

Take care,

Bob Stewart, Superintendent
Gladstone Schools
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5/15/20

Dear Gladstone families,

Many of you are now facing financial challenges as a result of the pandemic, and my heart goes out to you. You need to know that our schools also face a tough financial situation. In anticipation of a $2 million reduction in our district budget next year, we have made the difficult decision to ask every employee to take five furlough days this spring. 

While for students this means a reduction of four days of distance learning and one non-instructional day, this action will save the district approximately $250,000, which we hope to invest in classroom instruction next year. The cancelled days for students will be on Fridays: May 22, May 29, and June 5, as well as Monday, June 1. The last day for students will be June 9. The fifth staff furlough day will not impact students.

This decision was made in partnership with all employee groups and unanimous support of the School Board. The state’s Work Share program will limit or eliminate the financial impact to staff through a combination of unemployment insurance and federal CARES funding.

The funding cuts we face are the direct result of dramatic declines in income tax, corporate tax, and state lottery proceeds resulting in a projected $3 billion impact to the state budget. We also expect a substantial decline in the new corporate activities tax, which was to provide us with $1.4 million annually in Student Investment Account funds.

Anticipating this, in March we initiated an immediate hiring freeze and a spending freeze. We are also working to save energy costs and implement other cost-saving measures.  Our goal is to conserve as much funding as possible for the coming school year, when the downturn will hit schools hardest.

When or whether the Legislature will use state reserve funds to lessen the impact to schools is their decision. Likely they will be called into a Special Session after the state’s May 20 budget forecast. In addition, we are hopeful that Congress will appropriate a stimulus plan to support state and local agencies, including schools. 

This is a difficult time for all of us.  Know that we will make every decision with the best interests of our students as our first priority. This community has been through hard times before, and we know from experience that by pulling together, we can continue to provide for our students’ most important needs.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Sincerely,

Bob Stewart, Superintendent
Gladstone School District
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4/30/20

Dear Gladstone Parents,

Thank you to the hundreds of folks who took time from your busy schedules to share your experience with distance learning on our parent survey last week. Your input will help us improve this new education format moving forward.

We want you to know that we heard you. Distance learning is hard. Students and parents face many moments of frustration trying to figure out new technology, explain lessons, and connect with teachers in new ways.

Some families are doing distance learning while also dealing with other life challenges. Whether you are guiding home learning while working full time, dealing with job or income loss, or coping with limited technology access, this is a challenge like no other.

The good news is that students and parents are starting to settle into a new routine. Families are mastering new technology. Students continue to learn. And some have benefited from becoming more independent, having fewer distractions, or being able to learn at their own pace.

I want you to know our team is working hard to respond to the issues you raised. This week we returned school supplies, so students have what they need for home learning. We have increased the number of families receiving paper assignment packets if that works better for their student. If you need one, contact your school. We are still strategizing ways to get Internet access to families who need it.

We are also encouraging teachers to post instructional videos. This helps kids better understand their lessons. And more importantly, it gives students a way to connect with teachers they look up to. For secondary students, we will also be exploring safe strategies for occasional real-time video instruction. Details will follow if we decide to move forward with this.

Some families expressed concern about the length of assignments, especially given the pressure faced by parents who work full time. In response, we are working with our staff to adjust assignments so they align more with state guidelines, realizing that students move through work at different paces.

Grades K-1  — 45 minutes daily
Grades 2-3  — 60 minutes daily
Grades 4-5  — 90 minutes daily
Grades 6-12 –30 minutes per class per day

The social-emotional health of students must be our first priority right now. If at any point your student is overwhelmed, please take a break. Working out a schooling schedule that meets your family’s needs is fine, if five days a week is not realistic. Adjusting assignments to fit the capacity of your child is important to protect their wellbeing, and we want you to know it’s ok to do that.  We appreciate your hard work to be our partners in your child’s education. 

Know that the best you can do is enough.

Take care, and be well,

Bob Stewart, Superintendent
Gladstone Schools
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Upcoming Events

May 1 is a non-teaching day
Reminder: On May 1, there will be no teacher interaction and no new assignments so teachers can enter their classrooms to gather materials for distance learning and prepare for summer sterilization of classrooms.

May 4-8  is Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
Next week, May 4-8, we invite you to help us celebrate Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week. Our teachers, cooks, and other school staff would love an emailed note or a picture drawn by your child. Thanks for sharing your gratitude for their extra effort to keep kids learning during the COVID-19 outbreak.

May 5:  last chance for K-5 school supply/possession pickup
5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, at both John Wetten & GCCF
Elementary school families who missed this week’s opportunity to pick up school supplies and other student possessions will have another drive-through  pickup opportunity. If you come on foot, please use social distancing and wear a mask if you have one. This will be the last opportunity to get your things until June or fall.

Senior Cap & Gown, Grad Announcement Pickup
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 6 at Gladstone High
Graduating seniors have the opportunity for drive-through pickup of their graduation caps & gowns and their graduation announcements. If you come on foot, please use social distancing and wear a mask if you have one.

We know you have many questions about the celebration of our graduates. We are working on a plan and will let you know as soon as it’s ready.

May  11 is a Teacher Planning Day
Monday, May 11 will be a planning day for teachers to prepare distance learning for the month ahead. There will be no new assignments posted for students on this day, and no contact from teachers.

If students need to de-stress and do something active, this is a good opportunity for them to take a break. They could also use this day to catch up on assignments, read a book, or take a virtual field trip via a zoo or museum website.
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April 28, 2020

Dear Gladstone Families,

Your child’s safety is always a priority. In a time when students may have more unstructured and unsupervised time, we want to remind families of the need to protect children and teens from Internet threats such as cyberbullying, sexting, phishing, or blackmail.  Predators and scam artists know all students are home and spending more time on the Internet. Therefore, we all need to be more diligent than ever in checking on students when using any Internet accessible devices.

If you borrowed a district Chromebook computer, know that it has the same filters installed that are in place at school, blocking students from accessing social media sites, sites selling alcohol, and other sites inappropriate for students. However, if your student is using a personal smartphone, computer, or tablet, such safety features are not in place unless you set them up. You can contact your Internet and phone service providers to learn how to do that.

Here are some strategies parents can use to keep students safe online:
Stay active in your child’s online learning: Keep an eye on your child’s assignments and the tools they are using for distance learning, so you will recognize things unrelated to schoolwork.

Set limits on screen time and monitor Internet use:  Set time limits for Internet use outside of schoolwork to ensure your student is spending time on other healthy activities. Consider an open door policy when your child uses the Internet in their room so they are not tempted to hide inappropriate activity.
Teach your child Internet safety practices: Have an open, age-appropriate conversation about Internet dangers and safety. Empower your child to come to you if they become the victim of a predator or online attack.

Basic safety rules:
• Never give out personal information like your name, birth date, or location.
• Don’t go in person to meet up with someone you met online.
• Always use school-appropriate behavior in forums. Don’t post information that could hurt you or others. Remember, anything posted online could be there forever.
• Protect your passwords and change them regularly.
• Learn how to evaluate information for truth or deception.
• Immediately check with a trusted adult whenever you are uncertain about something online.

Thanks for your help keeping students safe.

Sincerely,
Bob Stewart, SuperintendentGladstone Schools
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FOOD PANTRY RETURNS to NELSON LANE [behind GHS]

The Gladstone Food Pantry will continue to distribute boxes of free food each Thursday. However, starting April 30, drive-through food distribution will move to Nelson Lane, the first street north of Gladstone High School. Changing the location reduces the workload for volunteers.

Any person is invited to pick up a free food box every Thursday on Nelson Lane from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. or until supplies run out.

Drivers should enter Nelson Lane from Portland Avenue, proceeding uphill two blocks to the food distribution area. After pickup, exit by continuing uphill and turning right on Harvard Avenue.

For quick and easy pickup, drivers are advised to roll down car windows, unlock car doors, and have their trunk or hatchback popped open for easy loading. Pedestrians, please use social distancing precautions. Please bring your Food Pantry card if you have one.

To make cash or food donations to the pantry or to volunteer, email Lennie Bjornsen at bjornsenl@gladstone.k12.or.us.
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Register now for fall Kindergarten!

Children who will be age 5 by September 1 are invited to enroll for kindergarten for the 2020-21 school year. Online Registration is available on the Gladstone Center for Children and Families [GCCF] website http://gladstone.k12.or.us/center/

Families are urged to register as soon as possible so teachers and staff can prepare to welcome new students. If you have any questions, contact school secretary Heidi Smith at smithh@gladstone.k12.or.us or by leaving a message at 503.496.3939.

“Kindergarten in our small community is a magical time of exploration and hands-on learning,” said GCCF Director Jere Applebee. “Beyond the foundation of math and reading, we want each student’s first school experience to include art, science, music, P.E., play, and social skills.”

The GCCF is designed to meet the unique needs of young learners. Besides classrooms and playgrounds, it offers an array of medical, dental, mental health, and family services located on-site.

Families who reside outside of the Gladstone School District boundaries and may wish to transfer into the Gladstone School District should email Natalie Weninger at weningern@gladstone.k12.or.us
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4.24.20

Dear Gladstone Families,

I hope you are well. I am writing to let you know that Friday, May 1, will be a day for teachers to access their classrooms. Because of that, on May 1, your student will not have contact from teachers.

Teachers need this day to gather personal possessions and to bring home books and other educational materials that will be useful as they continue providing distance learning to students. They will also prepare classrooms for cleaning and maintenance by our custodial team. Thank you for understanding.

One way to keep K-5 students engaged in learning on May 1 is to catch up on some ‘specials’ lessons and explore the other resources available on our new distance learning website: Distance Learning Website for K-5  Other elementary learning activities are available here.

For secondary students this can be a day to catch up on assignments or work on independent projects or reading.

Take care,

Jeremiah Patterson, Assistant Superintendent
Gladstone Schools
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4/23/20

Dear Gladstone Families,

Distance learning is new to all of us — staff, students, parents, and guardians. This has been a big change from school as usual.

Now that students are in their second week of distance learning, we invite you to participate in a survey. This will help us make adjustments and understand the needs of students moving forward. You can take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GSDlearns

Thank you for all you’ve done to help your student learn at home. We appreciate your patience and persistence.

Wishing you good health,

Gladstone Schools
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4/22/20

Dear Gladstone families,

If your student needs Internet access for distance learning, you can access free wifi in the front parking lot at Gladstone High School, 18800 Portland Avenue. Families are invited to bring students and Chromebooks to do schoolwork in their car.

The wifi channel is GSD_public and the access code is binder64

Families on school grounds are asked to maintain social distancing by remaining at least 6 feet apart.

Take care,

Gladstone School District
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Dear Gladstone High parents,

Last week we received state guidance regarding support for students in grades 9 to 11 given our shift to distance learning during the COVID-19 outbreak.  This answers many of the questions we have been hearing from students, parents, and staff.

Adjusting diploma requirements for Grade 11 [Class of 2021]

• Current juniors will not need SBAC state assessment scores to graduate. This year’s state assessments have been waived, including the Essential Skills requirement./
• Juniors must still maintain a total of 24 [26?]credits to graduate in 2021. [are we going with district requirements from the curriculum handbook, or state grad requirements?]

Awarding Pass/Incomplete as final credits for Spring trimester 2020

At the end of spring trimester, students in grades 9-11 will be awarded Pass/Incomplete status for each course instead of a letter grade. All students’ Grade Point Averages [GPAs] will be “frozen” at where they stood on completion of winter trimester, so spring trimester will not impact GPAs. This model is being used by many institutions of higher education and school districts across the nation.

Why will students not receive letter grades?

• During this extended school closure, educators will experience gaps in effectively evaluating what students know and can do.
• During distance learning, the opportunity for students to learn and demonstrate learning will vary widely depending on each student’s access to learning materials, internet reliability, or family support. That could mean that if grades were given, they could be more a reflection of student resources than individual learning.

If students are not receiving letter grades, how do they complete spring trimester?

• Students in grades 9-11 are still working to complete credits needed to graduate. These remaining months of school still count. The only difference is that teachers will award a Pass/Incomplete credit instead of a letter grade in June.
• Students may demonstrate a “pass” to earn course credit in a variety of ways: completing a work product, showing proficiency through submitted responses or written work, or showing proficiency through an “exam.” Students will be awarded a Pass for course completion based on the most essential skills required to learn. If a student was passing prior to the school closure, but is unable (or limited) in their ability to access distance learning through no fault of their own, they will not be penalized.

What about students who were not passing a spring trimester course as of March 13?

Students who were not passing a class prior to March 13 will need to continue working with their teacher(s) to demonstrate proficiency with the essential standards to pass. Teachers,  counselors, and students will work together to develop a personalized plan for this to happen. Our efforts will focus on every student being able to pass all spring classes. 

How will students receive feedback?

Teachers will provide meaningful feedback on students’ learning. Feedback will focus on how a student is progressing and showing proficiency with specific skills and standards by using rubrics, written comments, and coaching in a timely manner.

What about Grades K-8? 

We are still awaiting official word from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) regarding grading expectations for the third trimester for grades K-8.  We will let you know as soon as we receive word.

Looking Ahead

Since we will not be returning to finish this school year, school principals and district leaders are looking ahead at spring events and activities that will be cancelled, rescheduled, or modified. Families will receive communication in the coming days and weeks regarding how these adjustments will be made.

Thank You

We understand the enormous responsibility Distance Learning places on parents/ guardians as you create time, space, routine and support for learning at home. Please be gentle with yourselves and only do what you can manage. We want you to prioritize your family’s physical and emotional health during this time. Feel proud of what you are able to accomplish each day; balance it with time to breathe, take a walk, enjoy the weather, connect with a friend or loved one on the phone, relax over dinner, and get a good night’s sleep. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your teachers, school counselors, or your principal if you feel overwhelmed or need assistance.

We care about each of you.

Sincerely,

Bob Stewart, Superintendent
Gladstone School District
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4/14/20

Dear Gladstone families,

To help you adapt to distance learning and the new technology systems it requires, we have created a support website for students and families: https://sites.google.com/gladstone.k12.or.us/student-distance-learning/home

This site will help you:
• Connect to the Internet
• Check out a Chromebook computer
• Help students in grades K-5 connect their device to Seesaw.
• Help students in grades 6-12 connect to Google Classrooms.

This website is available in multiple languages, including Spanish and Russian, if you click the “Translate” button.

If you are having any problems with the Chromebook you checked out, or if you need an additional computer for your students, come to John Wetten Elementary from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 16. This will be a walk-in event. Please park your car, wear a mask, and use social distancing to meet staff at the front entry of the school so we can assist you.

We appreciate your support of students as we transition to a new way of providing education.

Take care,

Jeremiah Patterson, Assistant Superintendent
Gladstone Schools
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Update to families whose students have an IEP: 4/13/2020

Dear Parent/Guardian:

First and foremost, I want you to know that we hope that you are all safe and healthy during this challenging time.  

Starting Monday, April 13 school districts are responsible for providing instruction to all students. This instruction will be different than your child would receive on a regular school day. There is some teacher-led instruction that will be offered as well as some supplemental activities that your child and your family will be able to engage in. The teacher-led instruction will focus on essential learning and materials will be provided. 

Your child is eligible for special education services. Gladstone is committed to meeting the needs of students in special education during this closure. Special education services will also look quite different than you and your child are used to. You will receive a letter that outlines the proposal for special education services for your child based on their current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) by April 17. There will be instructions in that letter for how to respond if you would like to discuss your child’s special education services.

 We are working hard to support you and your children during this very difficult time! We also know that providing home-based distance instruction for your child as part of your day might be a difficult task. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s case manager if you have questions or need additional support. Also, please know that when school resumes your child’s IEP will be implemented as it was written before the school closure.

Sincerely,

Kelly Welch
Director of Special Services
welchk@gladstone.k12.or.us
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Update: April 11, 2020

Note: if you need technology assistance with your child’s Chromebook or help logging in, call our Tech Support Line at 503.974.5072
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Dear Gladstone families,

To kick off distance learning and reconnect with you all, on Monday, April 13, Gladstone teachers and staff plan a car parade through the neighborhood to share their enthusiasm with students.

The car parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Gladstone High School [the green star on the map] following the red directional arrows. It will wrap up around 11 a.m. so students can settle into distance learning.

Please remind students to maintain social distancing by watching the parade from a safe place like your front porch. Students should remain 6 feet apart from others and stay out of the street. For everyone’s protection, staff will not throw candy or anything else.

We invite students to find safe ways to get into the spirit of the event by decorating the driveway with sidewalk chalk, wearing a silly hat, playing their musical instrument, or making a big sign teachers will see as they drive by.

Thank you for helping us make distance learning a positive experience for students.  We care about Gladstone kids and are excited to re-start their education on Monday.

Gladstone teachers & staff
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Update for April 9. 2020

Dear Gladstone Families,

Thank you to all who participated in yesterday’s Chromebook distribution. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and patience with the process and your care in following social distancing protocols. Our staff was thrilled to see you, and we are as excited as you are to get students back to learning next week.

Wednesday we delivered a Chromebook to nearly every family who needs one. Knowing that families are dealing with a lot right now, we are improving the process for our second round of distributions. Here’s our plan for Friday, April 10.

We never got a Chromebook
For families who could not attend Wednesday, we plan a second Chromebook distribution Friday, April 10 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the front driveway at John Wetten Elementary. Any family with no device who is unable to pick up at that time should email info@gladstone.k12.or.us to make alternate arrangements. Please let us know how many students you have.

We need Tech Support
For families experiencing technical issues with the device they picked up Wednesday  [e.g. faulty charging cord; no cord provided; Chromebook not working], we will have a tech support station set up on the Chicago Avenue side of John Wetten to assist you on Friday, April 10, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. More information about regular and ongoing tech support will be sent soon.

We need one more Chromebook
Families with multiple students who need a second Chromebook can pick one up on the following schedule:
Grades 9-12     10:30-11:30
Grades 6-8       12:00-1:30
Grades K-5        1:30-3:00

How can my child log in to the Chromebook?
Students in grades K-2 were emailed instructions if we have a current email for you. All the rest will be sent by email. Students in grades 3-5 received log in instructions yesterday with their Chromebook. For those who did not yet get a Chromebook, log in instructions were mailed today. Students in grades 6-12 already know how to log in to their device.

Traffic management at John Wetten during pickup
District employees will be on hand to help direct traffic so we don’t back up streets. As you head west on Exeter, please form 2 lanes, beginning at the tennis courts. Staff near the school driveway entrance will direct you when to enter. Distribution is set up to serve 4 cars at a time. Please remain in your vehicle and roll down the passenger side window to talk to staff.

Thank you for your help getting students ready for distance learning.

Sincerely,

Jeremiah Patterson, Assistant Superintendent
Gladstone School
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Update for April 8, 2020

Dear Gladstone families,

Today Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order that school campuses across Oregon will remain closed through the rest of this school year. The extended closure is to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus so we can keep our community safe.

Though our school buildings will remain closed, the good news is that education will continue! Today we distributed Chromebook computers to families. Our teachers are checking in with families by phone, and they look forward to speaking with you.

Next week we begin our new distance learning program. Students will be provided with teacher-designed lessons that they can complete on their own schedule. 

This year is also changing for our seniors. Governor Brown today announced a plan regarding graduation requirements. We are still digging into the specifics, but here is our commitment: the closure will not impact our seniors’ ability to graduate this June. Our high school will be reaching out soon to all of our seniors with more information.

We will continue to provide students with free breakfasts and lunches. Each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon, families are invited to pick up 10 meals per student in the front parking lot at the Gladstone Center for Children & Families. Children need not come with you.

Right now the whole world seems upside down. However, our hard work to maintain social distancing is working to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We are a strong community, and each of us will need to bring our patience, perseverance, caring, and kindness to help others get through this. Thanks for all you are doing to help.

Take care,

Bob Stewart, Superintendent
Gladstone Schools
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Update for April 7, 2020

Dear Gladstone Families,

Students begin Distance Learning on Monday, April 13. They will engage in teacher-led learning for 45 minutes [grades K-1] to 3 hours daily [high school]. Lessons will not be delivered “live,” so families will have the flexibility to set their own schedule for daily schoolwork. Students will need a computer or Chromebook [which could be shared] and Internet access.

If your child has access to both a device and an Internet connection then you are set for distance learning.  Students will find it works best using a desktop computer or a laptop. We can help support our students by lending families a Chromebook laptop computer.

Chromebooks will be available for loan on Wednesday, April 8. All Gladstone families will have the opportunity to pick up a device. Because we have a limited number of devices, our first priority is to make sure every family has at least one. Initially we will limit each household to one device.

All devices have been carefully sanitized, and district employees will wear masks and gloves. Please follow social distancing precautions during distribution. Drivers should remain in their car. Walkers should line up at 6 foot intervals.

Device check-out will be at John Wetten Elementary’s front driveway, serving 4 cars at a time [plus walkers]. Cars should  line up west-bound on Exeter and proceed through the loop driveway. A parent or guardian must be present to sign the loan agreement regarding your commitment to care for and eventually return the device.

If you have multiple students, pick up for your household according to the schedule for your oldest child:

Wednesday, April 8 at John Wetten Elementary:
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.   grades 9 & 10

12:30 to 2 p.m.              grades 11 & 12

2 to 3:30 p.m.                grades 6-8

3:30 to 5 p.m.                grades K-5



If you are unable to pick up on Wednesday, please email info@gladstone.k12.or.us and we will hold a device for your family.


We will provide a how-to sheet that teaches how to start up and recharge the Chromebook.

Please borrow a Chromebook if you need one, but if you have enough devices at home, please help us stretch our resources to each family.

Take care,

Bob Stewart, Superintendent

Gladstone Schools
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Update for April 7, 2020

Starting today, teachers will begin calling families/parents to check in.

Because we are using a new phone system, be aware that when teachers call, the caller id will say “Restricted.”

Please answer your phone this week so we can make contact with each family before Distance Learning begins on Monday, April 13.

COVID-19 update for April 3, 2020

Dear Gladstone families,

Our district staff has been working hard to prepare Chromebooks for distribution on Wednesday, April 8. More details will be provided to all families next week.

Dear Gladstone families,

I hope you are in good health.

Monday night we received long-awaited guidance from the Oregon Department of Education about the plan to continue K-12 education during COVID-19 school closures. Because it is possible that students may not return to classrooms this school year, the state has asked us to create new strategies so students can continue their schoolwork at home.

Building a Plan for Distance Learning
The state requires us to provide distance learning for students, including ongoing interaction with their teachers. Learning will continue at home in new and different ways, and we are still figuring out what to do. Thank you for your patience during this major transition.

Gladstone’s home instruction program will begin April 13. This gives school staff time to understand the new state guidelines, learn new technology platforms, and create lessons appropriate for this situation. However, we do hope to provide some preliminary learning opportunities for students starting April 6.


Technology for home learning

Thank you to the more than 1,200 families who responded to our survey about home technology needs. If you were not able to complete the survey, don’t worry; you will still be able to get devices if you need them. We are working on a plan for free school device check out and will let all families know when and how to get what you need.



Food Pantry Open Thursday

Good news: the Gladstone Food Pantry will provide free food on Thursday, April 2 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.. To allow for social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak, they are switching to free food box pickup from a NEW LOCATION, the Gladstone Senior Center [1050 Portland Avenue]. Anyone needing free food is welcome. Please stay in your car and follow the signs. There will also be a pedestrian line for walk-up customers spaced 6 feet apart.

Communications

We will continue to communicate with you as we have more information. These communications will be delivered by parent emails, text messages, the District Facebook page, websites, and occasionally, automated phone calls. You can sign up for our weekly News Blast at https://bit.ly/2vZvoIW


To receive our text messages, send a text to 67587 that says Yes. This can be a handy way to know when to check your email for more information.

During this time, it will be important for all students in grades 6 to 12 to check their school email account daily for updates from teachers and school staff.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time of transition. We care about our students and will do our best to provide what they need going forward. If you have questions, please reply to this email.

Take care,

Bob Stewart, Superintendent
Gladstone Schools
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This is the Gladstone Schools update for March 28, 2020. During this rapidly changing situation, we will continue to update families every few days.

Dear Gladstone families,

I hope you are well. Given the Governor’s order, we know schools will be closed through April 28. It’s possible the closure could last beyond that date. I appreciate that families are staying home to protect the health of our community. It’s the best way to help right now.

Like you, we are very eager for students to continue learning at home during the school closure. Know that we are working on a plan, but because we have never done remote instruction before, it will take time to develop a quality program.

All next week, our staff will work via videoconferences to plan a well-rounded program with a variety of engaging learning options to help students maintain and build their academic, creative, physical, and social-emotional skills.

We plan to launch our remote learning program on Monday, April 6. Until then, we invite families to encourage students to read daily – fiction, non-fiction, online articles – whatever interests them. We also invite you to visit the Beaverton School District’s remote learning website at https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/library-services/remote-learning 

We have had strong participation in our free meal program, open to anyone age 1-18. Each youth can receive a grab & go breakfast and lunch on weekdays from our 3 sites:
• 9-10 a.m. at Gladstone Center for Children & Families
• 9-10 a.m. at Kraxberger Middle School
• 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Meldrum Bar Park, near the playground 

If your family needs food, shelter, or other services, phone 211, the social services hotline. You can also access this online at https://www.211info.org/search-resources

This uncertain time is unlike any challenge we have faced before. Thank you for your patience and understanding as our education team works to provide your child with quality learning opportunities delivered in new ways. We care about our students and we are committed doing our best for them.

Take care,

Bob Stewart, Superintendent
Gladstone Schools
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This is the Gladstone Schools update for March 22, 2020. During this rapidly changing situation, we will continue to update families every few days.

Dear Gladstone Families,

I hope you are well.

Remote supplemental learning for students
Many families have asked about educational opportunities to keep students learning during the school closure.

The Beaverton School District has provided a variety of activities for students. Please visit the Remote Learning Resources section of their website at https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/library-services/remote-learning. There you will find some options in English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, and other languages. Beaverton is a large district that has resources we do not, so in the short term their initial plans will help those of you eager for activities for your children. These are optional, ungraded activities.

After spring break, our staff will collectively design the Gladstone plan.  You will hear from your child’s teacher and school a few days after Spring Break.

More free meal sites for youths age 1-18
To make it easier for families to pick up meals, starting this Monday we will have 3 distribution sites for grab & go meals, including during Spring Break. Drive through & walk up service is provided to protect social distancing.

• Gladstone Center for Children & Families
18905 Portland Avenue
9-10 a.m. weekdays

• Kraxberger Middle School
17777 Webster Road
9-10 a.m. weekdays

• Meldrum Bar Park [near the play structures by the bathrooms]
19 Meldrum Bar Park Road
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. weekdays

Play structure advisory
Health officials have advised families to avoid play structures during this outbreak. All play structures on school district property are closed until further notice to protect public health. We advise students to avoid sports and games that involve contact or hand-to-hand ball passing at this time.

Helping our community
The Gladstone District is doing what we can to help our community through the Coronavirus outbreak. School districts received a request from Clackamas County Public Health to deliver any available medical protective gear. Nurse Cindy Bakke alerted us that our district had items available, so Saturday we delivered more than 200 masks, 5,000 gloves, and 200 hospital gowns to Clackamas County.

Yesterday I made a point of checking in on my four nearest neighbors, all in their 70s and 80s. We practiced social distancing while connecting, and I shared a jar of honey from my hive. Thanks for doing what you can to help make life a little sweeter for your neighbors. We are all in this together.

Please take care during this uncertain time, and let us know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Bob Stewart, Superintendent
Gladstone Schools
……………………………………………………………………………………………………This is the Gladstone Schools update for March 18, 2020. During this rapidly changing situation, we will continue to update families every few days.

Dear Gladstone Families,

Yesterday Governor Kate Brown extended the mandatory statewide school closure through April 28 to lessen the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This is a dynamic and quickly shifting time, so know that this closure period could ultimately be shorter or longer. There is no way to guess right now.

During the school closure, we will continue providing free grab & go breakfast & lunch to any youth age 1 to 18. Meals are available weekdays from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Gladstone Center for Children & Families from now through April 28. We have received clarification on state rules, and youths must be present to receive meals. Our drive-through pickup system will prevent contact with others to keep kids and families safe.

I am grateful to our nutrition team for their quick work to provide the free meal program on short notice. They provided 94 meals Monday, 244 meals Tuesday, and 326 meals today. I am also thankful for our non-profit partner, The Clackamas Bookshelf, which today provided 1,300 free books to Gladstone students participating in the free meal program. They will continue to do this periodically as they are able.

The Food Pantry has closed through March 31 to protect shoppers and volunteers. During this time, pantry shoppers are urged to visit the 211 info website or phone 211 to find other food resources.

For High School Students
I know students at Gladstone High School are worried about earning credits. I am confident there will be a remedy from state leaders so that our students graduate on time. When I learn more about the details, I will let you know. At this time, there is no way to know how this situation will impact our graduation ceremony.

Of course, we want students to continue reading and learning at home during this prolonged and unexpected closure. After spring break we will provide some activities to keep them engaged and moving forward.

This spring, we must do some important things in new ways, including kindergarten registration and forecasting for next year’s classes. Many unanswered questions remain. Thank you for your patience while we figure out new plans.

This is an unprecedented and historic situation, and we are all in this together. Please remind your children to wash their hands thoroughly and keep their distance from others. Also show them by example what it means to be calm, resilient, adaptive, and helpful to neighbors. They look to you for leadership now more than ever.

If you have any questions, please reply to this email.

Stay healthy and take care,

Bob Stewart, Superintendent
Gladstone School District
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March 13, 2020

Dear Gladstone families,

All Gladstone schools will be closed Monday, March 16, through Tuesday, March 31, as part of a statewide school closure ordered by Governor Kate Brown to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. At this time there are no presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Gladstone.

During the closure, all school-related activities are cancelled. This includes:
• Classes, after school clubs & programs, performances, and parent meetings
• Athletic team practices, workouts, voluntary practices, and games
• Extended Day childcare program

The district will serve students free breakfast and lunch during the closure.
From March 16-20 and March 30-31, any youth age 1 to 18 can pick up a free “grab & go” breakfast and lunch from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Gladstone Center for Children & Families, 18905 Portland Avenue. Drive by or walk up bagged meals will be available in the bus loop in front of the school. No meals will be provided during Spring Break, March 23 to 27. Meal service will continue if the school closure is extended.

These essential services will remain open as usual:
• The Gladstone Food Pantry
• Gladstone Dental Clinic
•. Gladstone Health Clinic

Your Questions Answered:
• We do not know whether missed school days will have to be made up. That decision will be made by the state.
• We have no plan for remote instruction at this time.
• We don’t know whether this closure may continue past March 31, but it’s possible.
• At this time we have no plans to change the date of graduation.  We will make every effort to make accommodations to credit requirements if needed for seniors on track to graduate.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility during an unprecedented and quickly changing situation. We are doing all we can to protect the health of students and others in our community. As we have more information, we will continue to share it.

Sincerely,

Bob Stewart, Superintendent
Gladstone Schools
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March 12, 2020

Dear Gladstone families,

Governor Kate Brown released new guidance today about COVID-19, a respiratory illness spreading worldwide. Gladstone Schools is complying by cancelling or postponing some events to protect the health of our students and community. This letter is to inform you of event changes this week and next week. Currently, there are no presumptive cases of COVID-19 in the Gladstone area.

Here’s what you need to know:

Schools will remain open. Education will continue. Schools are a safe place for students, and many children need access to meals and other services provided here.

Our custodial team is working continually to disinfect touch points: door handles, bathrooms, drinking fountains, desks, tables, and computer keyboards. Hand sanitizer is available, and students are frequently reminded about the importance of frequent, thorough hand washing and covering coughs. Likewise, the First Student bus company is sanitizing school bus handrails and seats with Lysol on a daily basis. There will be no school assemblies with more than 250 people, and in some cases these may be live streamed to classrooms.

Any student who is ill should remain home. Students should not return to school until symptoms of fever, sustained cough, and shortness of breath are gone for 72 hours. Please be prepared to pick up your child if needed, as any student at school with a fever will be sent home. Those with non-COVID symptoms [rash, vomiting, diarrhea] should return 24 hours after symptoms subside.

Many school-related gatherings and group activities are cancelled through the end of Spring Break, following the direction of the Governor. Regrettably, this includes:

Gladstone High School	Kraxberger Middle School	Wetten Elementary & GCCF kindergarten
• CCC Vocal Jazz Festival [3/12/20] and Jazz Band Festival [3/14/20]	• FIRST robotics competitions	• 5th grade trip to Biz Town [3/16/20]
• GHS’s East Coast Trip [planned departure 3/12/20]	• Band and Choir Concerts [3/17/20] — Will possibly be live streamed.	• Battle of the Books regional competition [3/14/20]
• Abby’s Closet Prom Dress field trip [3/14/20]	• District 13 Middle School Honor Band Festival [3/12/20]	• After school community education programs & Mad Science [now through March 20]
• FIRST robotics competitions	• After school programs [now through March 20]
• Band & Choir concerts [3/19/20] – Will possibly be live streamed.
• Softball & baseball trips [Spring Break]
• All OSAA winter athletic and dance competitions

These activities are postponed. New dates will be announced:
• March into Kindergarten registration event [originally set for March 17]
• Parent orientation for incoming 8^th graders [originally set for March 31]

These activities will continue as scheduled:

• School
• Spring Break [No school March 23-27]
• IEP meetings
• Extended day child care program
• Spring athletic practices: track & field, baseball, softball, and golf
• Current driver education class [nearly complete]

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding in this frustrating situation. It’s disappointing to see the cancellation of so many events we were eagerly anticipating. With new information emerging daily, likely there will be more changes ahead. I will communicate next week what we know about events scheduled after Spring Break.

If you have any questions, please let us know by replying to this email.

Take care,
Bob Stewart, Superintendent
Gladstone School District
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March. 11, 2020

Dear GHS families,

So far, we’ve been lucky: as of today, we have no known cases of COVID-19 in our school district or in Clackamas County. If that changes, we will let you know.

Our school custodial team is working extra hard to provide frequent disinfecting of touch points like door knobs, drinking fountains, and chair backs. They are doing an excellent job.

I want to thank our students for their careful attention to cough containment and frequent hand washing. We have provided hand sanitizer stations around the school, but we also remind them that soap and water work even better.

Please keep your student home if they are sick until they remain fever free for 24 hours. This is an important strategy to keep illness from spreading.

The Coronavirus outbreak has impacted a few statewide student events. FIRST robotics competitions in Oregon have been cancelled, however Coach Steve Stewart is hoping to plan a local competition with a small number of teams. In addition, today’s Northwest Youth Careers Expo was also cancelled. If we become aware of other event changes, we will share that news.

Thanks for your partnership in keeping our community healthy.

Kevin Taylor, Principal
Gladstone High School
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March 2, 2020

Dear Gladstone families,

I want to give you an update on what the Gladstone School District is doing in response to Coronavirus. As of today, there are zero cases in Gladstone. However, we are taking sensible precautions to keep our students and staff healthy.

This weekend and before school Monday morning, our custodial team worked to deep clean and disinfect each of our schools. This included use of CDC-recommended disinfectants on touch points throughout the school, from door handles, chair backs, and bathrooms to drinking fountains, keyboards, and desktops.

During the school day, custodians will continue to disinfect touch points frequently.

We will instruct students on hand washing, an effective first-line virus defense strategy. We have also increased the availability of hand sanitizer stations in our schools. Desks and computer keyboards will be sanitized daily.

To prevent germs from spreading, please remind your child to cough into a tissue or their sleeve. If your child is sick, please keep them home from school. Any child with a fever above 99.1 degrees should remain home until 24 hours after the fever has ended. If your child is at school with a fever, we will call you to pick them up to recover at home.

We have created a Coronavirus section on our website [http://gladstone.k12.or.us/coronavirus-covid-19/] with information provided by public health authorities, including the Oregon Health Authority and the Centers for Disease Control. Student health is a constant priority, and we will rely on these expert partners to guide us as this situation evolves.

We will continue to communicate with you as more information emerges.

Sincerely,

Bob Stewart, Superintendent
Gladstone Schools
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February 28, 2020

Dear Gladstone families,

This week you’ve heard a lot about Coronavirus [COVID-19], a respiratory illness first detected in China this winter. This evening we learned that the first presumed case has been identified in Oregon. There is no known connection to Gladstone. We had planned to send this message before we learned of the presumptive case.

The Gladstone School District is continually monitoring the situation, and we will remain in contact with Clackamas County Public Health and the Oregon Health Authority. We have worked with these partners many times in the past, and have always been impressed with their professionalism. We plan to follow their expert guidance and do all we can to keep students healthy.

Please remember that children are impacted by what they hear on TV and from trusted adults in their lives. If you remain calm and focus on common-sense precautions to stay healthy, their anxiety will be reduced.

It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season. Many of the everyday precautions we take to prevent flu are useful in stopping the spread of COVID-19. You can find more information on the Center for Disease Control website: bit.ly/CDCadvice

This short video provides 7 everyday strategies you can use to protect your family, provided by the Oregon Health Authority: http://bit.ly/38ckpsG

If your family has traveled to affected areas, has been exposed, or has symptoms, contact your health care provider to decide if you need medical care.

Keeping students healthy is a priority, and we will continue to keep you updated on this situation as we have more information.

Sincerely,

Bob Stewart, Superintendent
Gladstone Schools