Oregon School Campuses Will Remain Closed Through June 15 – Per Executive Order

April 8, 2020

Lowell families,

Today we learned our students will not return to school campuses this school year. Additionally, we were given guidelines around graduation requirements for seniors. An executive order from Gov. Kate Brown extended the closure of school buildings through June 15th in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep our community safe and healthy. While our campuses are closed, the education of our students continues. Lowell schools will continue on the same pathway of “Distance Learning for All” that our staff has been preparing to deliver to all Lowell students.

This year has also significantly changed for our seniors. Colt Gill, Director of the Oregon Department of Education, has announced a plan around graduation requirements. Click here for the ODE plan. We are still digging into the new guidance, and will be reaching out to each of our high school seniors and their families soon with more information. Look for communication soon from staff as we approach next steps in this unprecedented time.

The school closure also means that proms, field trips, graduations, award ceremonies, and simple classroom activities will be missed or experienced differently. We plan to include our high school student leaders in collaborative planning efforts to address these experiences, and will share details as plans are developed.

During these unprecedented times, I want to say thank you for the kindness and patience you show to one another. We will need continued patience, resilience, kindness and strength as we move through these next few months.

Please remember that we care deeply about the well-being of each and every Lowell student. There is no roadmap for the trip we are taking, but we will take this ride together and come out more resilient because of it.

Be well,

Johnie Matthews

Lowell School District Superintendent