20-21 Fall Reopening Survey
July 8, 2020
Dear Knappa Community:
It is my honor to serve as the new Superintendent of the Knappa School District. I have already begun getting to know members of the community as well as working with the staff to plan for the 2020-21 school year and beyond.
I come to Knappa with 28 years of experience in education. This includes experience as a teacher, school administrator, human resources administrator, superintendent, and a university professor. I have just relocated to the local area and am excited about partnering with the staff, parents, and community to provide the very best education for our students.
Yes, planning for 2020-21 is like no other year. We not only need to maintain educational momentum, but we also need to plan for reopening school in these challenging times. Having already read surveys from families, we are aware that there are varying degrees of comfort with returning to school. Some families are ready to return full time and others are expressing concern about the health and safety of students and loved ones if students return to school. Still others are somewhere in between - cautiously optimistic about the fall.
The Knappa School District is busy with fall plans. We are working on this plan, following current guidance from the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority. The plan we are creating is following 50 pages of guidance for school re-opening, and as you can imagine, it is complex. We are identifying ways of creating social distancing, enhanced sanitation, ensuring less mixing of student groups, transporting students with more open “space” on the bus, and of course having a program that is educationally viable. We have decided to offer two instructional models for the fall:
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Face-to-Face Instruction (For students in grades K-2). We are planning to open for five day per week instruction at the start of the school year. These students will be transported and arrive prior to the older students, to allow for proper distancing on the bus.
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Traditional School (Hybrid format to start for grades 3-12). Students will be assigned to a “cohort” and attend either a Monday/Tuesday face-to-face schedule on campus or a Thursday/Friday face-to-face schedule. The remaining days of instruction will be delivered virtually.
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Knappa Virtual Academy. Teachers will deliver instruction fully virtually utilizing an online curriculum and platform. (families must opt into this choice)
Your instructional choice will be for the first quarter of the school year (until November 9). Because the program choice is associated with staffing and building of quality relationships with families, changes will be allowed at the end of the quarter.
On our website, we now have a survey that will help us with our planning. Please take the survey prior to July 13 so that we understand your needs for the fall.
As the school year proceeds, the plan will be reviewed regularly, with the goal of getting more students back to “regular” school in a safe manner. The priority will be students at the elementary grades, and secondary students who are educationally vulnerable (no internet access or who would thrive better with more face-to-face school).
Later this month, I will host a “virtual meet and greet” session where we can get to know each other better. I already know that the Knappa School District is a close community that supports the schools and where schools support the community. For this I am thankful.
I look forward to leading the community’s schools and can’t wait to have the students back!
Kind regards,
Bill Fritz, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Knappa School District #4
Parents/Guardians of Knappa School District , we invite your input on the following surveys regarding the start of school for fall 20/21. If you have students only in grades 3-12 next year, please fill out the first survey. If you will have students in grades K-2 and 3-12, please fill out both surveys. We value your input for the upcoming school year.
If you have any questions or concerns please let us know.
Survey for Knappa Families Grades 3-12
Survey for Knappa Families Grades K-2
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Be an inventor with iINVENT!
Invent while meeting college students, connecting with new friends, and learning about all about OSU!
Registration is now open:
iINVENT is a FREE virtual summer camp for incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students!
Work with Oregon State University college students as invention mentors who guide you in creating an invention that enhances the quality of life for someone you choose. You will select a client for your invention project, work with a college mentor, meet new friends across Oregon, and gain access to exclusive engineering design challenges and college connection events provided through an official OSU course webpage.
Key Highlights
- Apply Science, technology, engineering, and math to create an invention that enhance the life of someone you choose!
- Meet college students and fellow middle school inventors from across Oregon!
- Learn about invention and the innovation process using activities from OSU engineering, United States Patent and Trademark Office, and many others!
- You only need internet access and common household items to participate!
- Most materials and supports will be available in both English and Spanish, including our mentor-led checkins!
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New!!
Free & Reduced Meal application link
https://www.ode.state.or.us/apps/FRLApp/
Knappa High School Counselor website!
https://knappahighschoolcounselorpage.org/
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Please use the following email address's for district grade level information on educational packets, meals, school closure and anything else during the COVID 19 situation.
hleinfo@knappak12.org
hlmsinfo@knappak12.org
khsinfo@knappak12.org
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PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: KNAPPA SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOLS & PROPERTIES ARE CLOSED
In our continued efforts to do our part to keep our community, our students and families safe from the threat of COVID-19, all Knappa Schools and properties are closed through April 28, 2020. Knappa continues to work alongside and support our local and state leaders in this fight. These closures are in full support of the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” recommendations and follow the Governor’s Executive Orders dated March 17, 2020.
COMMUNITY/STUDENT USE OF PROPERTIES
It has come to our attention that community members and more specifically, young people are convening on our properties, our athletic fields, and playgrounds. It is critically important for the public to understand that the coronavirus continues to live on surfaces including playground equipment, athletic equipment, public seating areas and so much more. Until we receive information from our state and national health officials that we are no longer a community at risk of the spread of COVID, all Knappa School District properties will remain closed.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING COVID-19 RISK TO YOUNG PEOPLE
What is also critically important for the community to understand is although the effects of COVID-19 hits hardest on older and medically compromised individuals, COVID-19 does not discriminate. All ages are at risk of this virus, including young people. As of Friday, March 20, 2020, 7% of those that have tested positive for the virus in Oregon are 18 years of age or younger. Young people can also carry the virus not knowing they are infected. This can lead to the transfer of the disease to other members of the community as well as their loved ones. Young people are contracting the virus, experiencing its full effects to include hospitalization, pneumonia, permanent lung damage, and possible death.
As we continue to alter our lives to practice social distancing yet stay connected, we urge you to stay home and explore the many digital/virtual resources available to engage with family and friends. Reinvent playdates, social groups, and activities through these online resources.
REMINDER OF IMPORTANT PRACTICES AND RESOURCES
These measures will help stop the spread of this deadly virus and save lives. If you must go out in public, stay six feet away from other individuals and do not gather in groups of more than 10. Again, please continue to follow the live-saving guidance of the CDC by staying home, limiting or postponing in-person social interaction and continuing the ongoing practice of the promoted hygiene guidelines. Thank you!
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The Knappa School District is looking for members to be part of a Bond committee. If you are interested please contact Superintendent Paulette Johnson at 503-458-5993 ext 303, or by email, johnsonp@knappak12.org. Meetings are held the first Wednesday's of the month at the high school library.
Education: Linking Our Past to the Present
Quality public education has been a priority of the Knappa Community since the late 1800’s. Knappa High School graduated it’s first class in 1919 and has contributed a steady stream of Community leaders ever since to our region and the state of Oregon.
In 1998 the Knappa community voted to separate from the Clatskanie Schools and form its own independent school district. In 2001 the community passed a bond measure to upgrade the district’s schools. The successful passage of a 5.7 million measure was reflective of this small community’s pride and commitment to their schools.
The Knappa School’s Foundation has raised over $1,000,000 to support student scholarships and mini-grants for innovative projects in the classrooms of the schools.
Knappa School District takes pride in being able to offer a high quality education regardless of its rural setting. The technology offered to students along with a high quality academic experience makes Knappa a great place to attend school.
About Our Community
Knappa School District is located in a rural setting along Highway 30 just 12 miles east of Astoria and 90 miles from Portland. The school district serves the unincorporated communities of Knappa, Svensen, Brownsmead, and Burnside. The community is family oriented and represents about 2000 citizens. The proximity to the Columbia River provides year around recreational opportunities to the area.
The area has long been noted as a fishing and forest products center. Georgia-Pacific’s Wauna Mill is located within the district’s boundaries and employs approximately 1000 area residents. Clatsop Community College in Astoria is the favorite destination for KHS graduates, but many students also enroll in other state system universities and private schools in and out of Oregon.
"It is the policy of the Knappa School District to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law."
