PPS Ignores State Guidance, Continues Extracurricular Activities

PORTLAND, OR — Portland Public Schools decided to ignore guidance from the state and continue extracurricular activities despite the record surge in COVID-19 cases. The Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education issued an advisory on Monday saying that school districts should pause after-school activities.

"If schools and other organizations proceed with extracurricular activities, especially as these activities move indoors and individuals are unmasked, they should expect rapid transmission of COVID-19 that will prevent students from participating in in-person learning due to isolation for those that contract COVID-19 and lengthy quarantines for those that come into close contact with infected individuals," the advisory stated.

The bold and italics are in the advisory.

Portland Public Schools and several other districts in the area including Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, and Beaverton, have decided to take advantage of the fact that the advisory from the state is recommendations rather than requirements. The advisory also suggests that districts could take additional safety measures.

"Because extracurricular activities are such a valuable part of in-person learning and student engagement at PPS, we have chosen the second option, to continue extracurricular activities but to further strengthen health and safety measures," Portland Public Schools said Wednesday.

"To conduct games, meets, and performances as safely as possible, we are instituting protocols for extracurricular activities that we successfully used last spring. "

The updated safety measure from PPS are:

• Student-athletes and performers must wear masks at all times, including during competition and performances, with one exception:
  • Musicians who play a wind instrument that can only be played without a mask must utilize a bell cover, which goes over the opening through which air and sound escape. The exceptions are the flute and recorder, which have been shown to not spread virus particles. Musicians will continue to practice and perform 6 feet apart from one another, to the extent possible.
• Access to locker rooms will be limited.
• No overnight travel for athletic competitions or performances.
• Concession stands will not be open at extracurricular activities or games
• Spectators age 5 and up must show proof of being fully vaccinated or offer documentation of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours.
• Opportunities will be increased to receive COVID-19 tests and possibly return to participation after five to seven days with negative tests."

The district says that the changes will remain in effect until at least February 4th but could be extended or changed before that.

All area districts are urging people to get vaccinated and boosted, and if anyone shows signs of symptoms, to stay home.