Q: How will attendance work for the CDL portion of the day and the in-person portion of the day?

A: Much of the core academic lessons will be given in the morning during the CDL portion of the day, so we strongly encourage attendance. Attendance will also be taken for in-person students as well. Attendance will continue with students being counted as present if they attend lessons or turn in work within the 24-hour period. In addition, in-person attendance will also count toward attendance within the 24-hour period.

Q: Can you clarify the availability of help for distance learners in the afternoons? Will they have access to ask teachers for help?

A: Students will have some access to Ridgeline instructional staff during CDL afternoons. Those details will be made available as plans for curriculum during hybrid learning are solidified.

Q: Do you have information about onsite child care? Is there another provider for childcare at or bussed-in to Ridgeline?

A: We have reached out to YMCA to see where they are with their own planning and availability. We do not have any on-site childcare at this time, but we will keep you posted if the situation changes.

Q: It looks like there will only be 10 hours a week of synchronous learning for middle schoolers (which is a drastic reduction from current synchronous hours), so can you explain what the other hours of academics will look like for middle school students who choose to remain in CDL?

A: The remainder of the day will be a combination of asynchronous and synchronous learning opportunities for continuing CDL. Those details are being developed currently. We will give a more specific outlook when planning has been finalized.

Q: Is at school time a real opportunity for lessons and more education geared time or is it an opportunity for kids to be together, socialize and start transitioning into going back to school in the fall?

A: During in-person learning, students will be provided with opportunities for small group work, social-emotional learning, and some individual support. The instructional staff is currently preparing lessons and curriculum that will best serve student’s needs. Likely, what happens during in-person learning will change as we learn how to best support students in this model.

Q: Can you go over what will happen on Wednesdays?

A: Wednesdays will be dedicated planning days for our lead teaching staff. Students will have assigned work that they can complete independently at their own pace. At this time we envision that there will be some access to classroom assistants should a student need support with this work.

Q: What about children that require SpEd / Learning Center services?

A: Students that are currently receiving SPED or Speech services will continue to do so. We anticipate that our SPED staff will be on-site and will provide services while continuing to provide services for CDL students at home.

Q: What type of plan would be enacted in the case of an outbreak in school?

A: Ridgeline has a communicable disease management plan that meets all of the Ready Schools, Safe Learners requirements. This plan outlines what to do if a student becomes ill, tests positive for COVID-19, or is exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, it details what information will be communicated to and how. If a student exhibits primary symptoms while at school they will be removed from the class immediately and placed in the health room or “isolation room.” Their staff with proper training and P.P.E., will screen your child and contact the family for pick-up. From there, depending on the outcome of the student’s illness, contact tracing and communication would take place according to Lane County Public Health guidance. If your student has close contact at school with another student with a presumed or confirmed case of COVID-19 you will be notified.

Q: Eating will require students to take off their masks. How will you reduce risk?

A: Covered outdoors areas are being created to allow students to eat outside. Students will wash their hands with soap and water prior to eating and remain physically distanced. In addition, we understand that there are families and students that will not feel comfortable with the removal of masks. Families may choose to eat at home and arrive by 12:15 when instruction will begin.

Q: Will a student’s health be screened when they arrive at school?

A: Yes, each day as students arrive on-campus students will undergo a visual screening. This will include: Checking for unusual coloration (flushed or pale), unusual behavior (behavior change, lethargy, unusual fatigue), new or significant coughing, respiratory symptoms not typical for the student, shortness of breath, or chills. If a student does not pass the visual screening they will be referred for a secondary screening and if appropriate, parents will be contacted.

Q: Will you be taking the student’s temperature during the screening process?

A: Drawing on other’s school’s experiences we have learned that touchless temperature readings outdoors can be very unreliable. Instead, we will be asking for families to complete a screening and temperature check at home before transporting their student to school. Touchless thermometers are available in every classroom should a student start to appear ill or report that they are not feeling well.

Q: How will students be encouraged to distance while at school?

A: Students will have a lot of visual cues that will help them stay physically distanced. They will have markings on the ground outdoors and on the floor indoors. In addition, there will be time spent teaching these safety concepts appropriately at each level.

Q: What are the requirements for students and staff and masks?

A: Ridgeline is following the CDC guidelines on masks. Families will receive handouts prior to in-person learning that define appropriate face coverings and proper fit. All students are required to wear face coverings at all times (except outdoor eating).

Q: If a student has a mask that is not appropriate will staff correct that?

A: The school has purchased masks for children and adults. Should a student need a mask for any reason, one will be provided. This will be done in a manner so as not to shame or embarrass the student.

Q: How will you increase ventilation? Will classroom windows be kept open?

A: Windows and exterior doors will be open whenever possible. In addition to open windows and doors, each classroom will be equipped with a high-efficiency Blueair Air Purifier. Box fans will be used where appropriate and safe to draw in fresh outdoor air and draw out the indoor air. When students are out of the room and after they leave for the day classrooms will increase the purifiers and fans levels to exchange the air as much as possible.

Q: Will all staff members be fully vaccinated before hybrid begins?

A: Yes! We are fortunate that all Ridgeline staff members will be able to receive both doses of their vaccination and have the recommended wait time before we start hybrid learning.

A: The bathrooms will be cleaned and sanitized by custodial staff each evening. In addition, classroom staff will be wiping down and sanitizing the bathrooms and other high-touch surfaces periodically throughout the day. One inclusive bathroom will be assigned to each cohort. Students will use the bathroom individually and not in groups.

Q: Will students share materials?

A: To a large extent we anticipate students will have their own materials (pencils, notebooks, etc.). Shared materials will be sanitized between student use or placed in quarantine overnight (minimum of 12 hours) if they are difficult to sanitize (i.e. books, materials with many small parts, etc…).

Q: What happens if you select hybrid, but later determine that the schedule just creates too many challenges for your family?

A: If an extenuating circumstance occurs and it is no longer feasible for your family to continue with hybrid learning, you may request to move to CDL for the remainder of the school year. If a large number of families shift to CDL it may cause the school to have to reform cohorts or adjust the schedule to best meet the needs of all students.

Q: Is this the schedule Ridgeline is going to use in the Fall?

A: We do not yet know what the fall schedule will look like. We will use what we learn and the preparation to inform our work in the fall, but likely there will be new health guidelines that we will need to consider.

Q: Will the allotted time for in-person learning at school potentially increase as the school year progresses?

A: While change is always possible, it is unlikely that it would change with the current number of students that have chosen CDL and the current safety guidelines.

Q: What does drop-off and pick-up look like?

A: Each classroom will have a designated drop-off and pick-up area. There will be visual markers to help students stay distanced as they either wait for screening or pick-up. We ask that parents dropping off or picking up in the drive-through loop stay in their vehicle. We are still working on putting together a more detailed description to be sent to families.

Q: Will students be expected to bring their laptop/tablet with them to school?

A: There will be technology provided in the classroom. Students will not be asked to transport their laptops between school and home.