November 17, 2020 4:00 a.m.

Kindergarten through third grade students in Roseburg Public Schools will return to remote learning beginning next Monday.

Superintendent Jared Cordon said the district received the latest COVID-19 update from the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority on Monday. Cordon said the new data showed the county had over 200 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks. The county has a rapidly increasing test positivity rate of 13.4 percent, according to the School Metrics Dashboard. That shifts the district into the Distance Learning phase of state metrics requirements.

In an effort to give families time to plan for the shift, the transition will not take place until November 23rd. If the case and test positivity rates in the county decline, students will return to in-person learning on December 7th.

Cordon said the district is prepared to re-deploy technology devices to families as needed. Teachers will reach out to families to assist with the transition.

Grades 4-5, middle and high school students continue with remote learning. For middle and high school students, athletic and activity practices and workouts have been paused. RPS hopes to resume those opportunities on December 7th, but that will be dependent on the metrics. Remote learning for grades 6-12 will continue through January 22nd. The target date for reopening to hybrid instruction in those grades continues to be January 25th.

Grab “n” Go meal drop-offs will continue via bus delivery routes. The district will temporarily close cafeteria pickup sites. Bus stops will be added at each school where meals will be delivered.

Go to www.roseburg.k12.or.us for updates on Roseburg Public Schools.