March 18, 2020 4:35 a.m.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown has extended the statewide school closure to a total of six weeks, until April 28th.
An Executive Order issued Tuesday gave a number of directions to school districts:
*Districts are to provide learning supports and supplemental services to students and families during the closure, including meals and child care. This includes the delivery of food assistance and offering child care for essential health care professionals and first responders.
*School districts may call on public school educators and employees to deliver limited learning and support services.
*Each district will pay all their regular employees during the closure.
*The Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Health Authority, and the Department of Human Services are directed to support public schools in the continuity of mental health services.
Governor Brown said “this will have real impacts on Oregon’s students, parents and educators”. She said that action must be taken to “flatten the curve” and slow the spread of COVID-19 transmission in Oregon. She said “otherwise we face a higher strain on our medical system and greater loss of life to this disease”.