PPS Says Back To In-Person Learning For Some, Others Stay Remote

PORTLAND, OR — Students at five schools are back in the classroom this morning while students at three other schools have been told that they will remain in remote learning through at least February 1. That's the word from Portland Public Schools.

The district says that Alliance High School at Meek, Faubion PK-8 School, Franklin High School, Ockley Green Middle School, and Roosevelt High School have all reopened their campuses on Monday. On Tuesday, Alliance High School at Kenton will also return to in-person learning.

Meanwhile, George, Harriet Tubman, and Kellogg Middle School students have been told that remote learning will last at least through February 1.

"The latest surge in COVID-19 cases has also impacted every facet of PPS operations," Superintendent of Portland Public Schools Guadalupe Guerrero said.

"We continue to appreciate our community's flexibility and understanding as we navigate changing dynamics. Any necessary adjustments will continue to be guided by our goals of optimizing health & safety in our school communities and preserving a continuity of learning for our students."

Guerrero says that while the absentee rate – 17 percent – and the requests for substitute teachers – 331 – both remain high, they are significantly lower than a week earlier.

Eleven of the district's 81 schools have had to switch to remote learning at least temporarily as the omicron-driven surge hits Oregon.

The district says that they are regularly updating its School Closure Tracker to reflect the most current information for each school

This article originally appeared on the Portland Patch