Update: This message was updated on Dec. 9 with clarifying information about which programs this rule applies to. 

Dear NWRESD families and staff - 

On Nov. 23, the Oregon Health Authority announced that masks and face coverings are now optional when students and staff are outdoors.

Starting on Thursday, Dec. 2 Northwest Regional Education Service District will no longer require students or staff to wear masks when they are outside. Physical distancing should still be maintained while outside. Our district leaders made this decision in collaboration with our local public health authorities.

Note: There are facilities where we provide educational services, but we are not the primary manager (e.g.: LifeWorks Northwest Day Treatment and community preschools). At those sites we will follow the guidance of the primary manager.

This change applies to any situation when students or staff are outside. For example, masks are no longer required during recess, during an outdoor home visit from an Early Intervention or Early Childhood Special Education service provider, or during outside Northwest Outdoor Science School activities.

Masks are still required for everyone over the age of 5 and strongly encouraged for students ages 2 through 4 when they are inside any NWRESD building or while conducting any NWRESD work inside (e.g. inside during a home visit, serving a student inside in a community preschool, or inside in another school district, etc.).

Vaccination continues to be one of our best tools to fight the spread of COVID-19 and keep children in school. All children ages five and up are now eligible for a vaccine, and all adults are now eligible for a booster. Find a vaccination appointment near you using OHA’s vaccine locator tool.

Thank you for your continued partnership to keep our schools and communities healthy. 

Sarah Pope
Deputy Superintendent and COVID-19 Response Lead