While I just touched base two days ago, I feel the closing of schools warrants a quick update. I agree we must do all we can to keep our communities safe, but I also realize and acknowledge Governor Brown’s closing of schools is a loss for our students, parents, and teachers. 

This change will challenge us to think creatively about what education looks like, how our students will learn, how parents will support their students, how our teachers and administrators will deliver content, and how we will support each other as a community. I want to acknowledge the incredible sacrifices and work that has already happened and say thank you to parents, teachers, and family members who are already working to meet the needs of young people in our school systems. 

I also want you to have the resources you need to understand the guidelines issued by the Department of Education and am including links to both the Oregon Department of Education’s formal guidance concerning distance learning as well as a broad overview.  

• Distance Learning for All - formal guidance

• Overview of Guidelines

Also of concern, is our graduating seniors. These students have spent years working towards graduation and it is heartbreaking for many of them to have their senior year end without many of the anticipated milestones. I’m hopeful we will see creative ways to bring seniors together through online platforms and I remain optimistic our school districts will address work towards post COVID-19 acknowledgment of their accomplishments. 

If you have a senior and are concerned with graduation, you can find guidance at:

• Graduation Pathways for Seniors

If you are contemplating at-home learning and are looking for general guidance, you can look to these resources:

• Tigard Tualatin School District 

  • Students Taking IB Classes

  • At-Home Learning Resources

• West Linn Wilsonville School District 

  • Supplemental Learning Page

• A Guide for At-Home Learning (English)

• A Guide for At-Home Learning (Spanish)

• District Distance Learning Planning Tool

• Teach From Home (Educator Resources)

• Resources for Parents of a Child with Disabilities

If you are worried about accessing resources at home, here are a few options to help:

• How to get Low Cost Internet Access at Home

• Childcare Resources

Our students are deeply impacted by the change in their daily lives and if you are wondering how to best support students during this time, please look at these resources:

• How to Support Children and Teens Through Loss and Trauma

• Mental Health and Social Support Resources for Migrant and Non-English Speaking Families

• Supporting Emergent Bilingual Students with Distance Learning

• How to Support LGBTQ+ Youth

• Resources for Youth Suicide Prevention

In the face of an incredible challenge within our community, I see so many people rising to the occasion, acknowledging the difficulties, and choosing to find creative and kind solutions to address these challenges; it has warmed my heart. 

If you need help that hasn’t been addressed in one of my newsletters, please reach out to me and I will work to get you the resources you need.

I hope you are well and I really can’t wait to see you in person again.

Sincerely,

Rachel

House District 37 Constituent Telephone Town Hall 

Thursday April 7th from 6:00 PM - 7:00PM

I am hosting a telephone town hall tonight, Thursday the 9th, to discuss COVID-19 and the steps we’re taking at the state level to help families and businesses.  Oregon Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle and Dr. David Bangsberg, Dean of the OHSU/PSU School of Public Health will be joining me. We’ll be taking your questions live. Please call-in at (503) 755-9918 to join the call at 6pm.  We hope to talk to you then!

Speakers: 

• Representative Rachel Prusak
• Oregon Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle
• Dr. David Bangsberg, Dean of OHSU/PSU School of Public Health