We have received questions about the lack of CAL SD athletic programs and the closure of district athletic facilities. While we support the incredible value that athletic participation plays in the lives of families and youth, we believe that we are acting in good faith for public health.
When the reopening metrics issued by the Oregon Department of Education in coordination with the Oregon Health Authority prohibits us from opening our classrooms to students, it would be inconsistent for us to contradict that stance by permitting athletic participation.
Case rates over the past couple of weeks in Lane County have reached record levels since the beginning of the pandemic. In addition, kids between 11-20 years of age represent the second highest number of cases by age group behind 21-30 year olds, including multiple cases among youth in our area. To date, however, we are not aware of any cases among students enrolled in Crow-Applegate-Lorane schools.
Although we cannot predict whether Lane County will be moved back into Phase 1 Reopening Level, or that Lane County Public Health may decide to close public playing fields, we believe that we are acting in the best interests of our students safety by holding this line until conditions improve significantly.
Lane County is officially High Alert Level. This includes significant personal and social gathering guidance including taking measures to lmit contact with those outside of your immediate household, limiting in-person social activities for children and teens, and cancelling non-essential social gatherings.
If a gathering does take place, maximum precautions should be taken to protect everyone in attendance including limiting the number of people to an amount that can maintain 6' physical distance, limit the length of the event, require face coverings, do not share food/drink (no potlucks), and offer handwashing stations and hand sanitizer.
Respectfully,
Malcom McRae, Supt. Crow-Applegate-Lorane SD 66