School Closure Update

April 7, 2020

Mapleton Families,

We hope this letter finds you and your family safe and healthy.  We know during these unprecedented times you and your children have lots of questions about school, grades and what’s next.  We hope to answer many of these questions in this letter.

On Monday, March 30, 2020, the Oregon Department of Education provided every school district with guidance on how to implement Distance Learning for All.  This will be a process for students to receive ongoing interaction and instruction with their teacher.  Distance learning is NOT just online instruction.  It will provide blended learning strategies (online, project based, read and reflect, projects, games and activities) and access to appropriate educational materials through multiple modes of communication (online, email, phone calls, paper/pencil).  We will ensure that our focus is centered on student care, community and continuity of learning by providing support to parents as you join us to help provide educational opportunities for your students.  We acknowledge this is a challenging time for students and parents. 

The shift from Supplemental Learning to Distance Learning for All means that starting with the April 15th learning packet, all educational materials will be graded and are required to be returned to teachers for grades/credit.  The educational materials can be sent back in the same learning packet envelope they were delivered in each Wednesday when a new learning packet is delivered.  In some cases, for Middle and High School students, they can turn their work in via Google Classroom.  Work can also be turned in via emailing the teacher directly.  Please see the attached permission slip for teacher/student/parent communication.  The permission slip MUST be returned by Wednesday, April 15th. 

We are still waiting on guidance from the Oregon Department of Education regarding Seniors and graduation requirements.  As soon as we have information, we will contact each family to let you know where they stand in regards to graduation requirements and their transcript.  Until the “Official Release” of updated Graduation Requirements for the class of 2020 by the Oregon Department of Education, it is our expectation that Seniors will participate in the graded learning packets being sent home starting April 15th, as well as work towards completing any online learning classes they are enrolled in.  Thank you for your patience as we await the new guidance.

Middle and High School students only:  Enclosed are copies of your current class schedule.  The highlighted classes will be graded and credited for fourth quarter and will be transcripted as a semester grade.  Courses that are not highlighted will be awarded quarter credit for third quarter.  If you were not passing third quarter as of March 13, please contact your teacher for any missing work so you can complete it and improve your third quarter grade.  ALL grades (third quarter, fourth quarter, semester) will be awarded a grade of Pass/No Pass.

We understand that this closure can present many challenges to our students and families.  Mapleton School District will continue to provide nutrition services every Monday and Wednesday throughout the school closure.  Please call the High School office at 541-268-4322 if you wish to receive breakfast/lunch bags.

The following are locations and times for pick up/delivery of nutrition:

            Deadwood Store, 2:30-3:00pm

            Swisshome Church, 3:10-3:40pm

            Richardson Bridge (near the tracks), 2:10-2:40pm

            Sweet Creek Road at Bernhardt Creek pull out, 3:00-3:30

            Mapleton High School, 2:00-4:00pm

For additional and updated information, please check the District Website:  www.mapleton.k12.or.us


Families are also encouraged to sign up for the RemindApp (more detailed instructions on the district website)                         Mapleton Middle/High School:  Text the message: @mapletonor to the number 81010 or 205-409-7578                    Mapleton Elementary School:  Text the message: @mapletonel to the number 81010 or 205-409-7578

Mapleton School District will be open for phone calls on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8am-4pm, at 541-268-4322.  Messages will be checked only on Mondays and Wednesdays.   

Thank you for your support and understanding during this challenging time for our schools and our community.

Respectfully,

Jodi O’Mara, Superintendent/Elementary Principal                                   Brenda Moyer, High School Principal

jomara@mapleton.k12.or.us                                                                   bmoyer@mapleton.k12.or.us