New guidance issued by the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority will allow all students in the Hermiston School District to return to full-time, in-person school five days a week, the district announced today.
April 12 will be a no school day for Hermiston School District students, as staff prepares for all students to return full time, five days a week starting April 13.
Updated Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance from the Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Health Authority reduced the physical distancing requirement to align with national research and new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new three feet expectation will allow more students in the classroom and building at a time.
HSD planned to return high school students to a hybrid schedule on April 12. However, the updated guidance will allow all students to return full time.
Following are the school start and stop times by grade level:
- Elementary: 7:55 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with a 1:45 p.m. release on Wednesdays
- Middle School: 8:30 a.m. (9:15 a.m. start on Wednesdays) to 3:18 p.m.
- High School: 8:25 a.m. (9:10 a.m. start on Wednesday) to 3:25 p.m.
While on campus and in the classroom, students will still be required to wear a mask and frequently wash their hands, as well as follow the new three-foot physical distance requirement. Students may bring a water bottle and backpack to school, which go home with them each day. Buildings will contact families with further specifics.
“This is welcome news, following updated federal guidance,” said Superintendent Dr. Tricia Mooney. “I want to express my gratitude for the community’s support and for everyone doing their part to help keep each other safe and reduce case counts.”
COVID-19 metrics are available through the coronavirus.oregon.gov website. Visitors can click Tracking COVID-19 at the top of the page and research further into Regional and County Data.
