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FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2021
VOL. 130, NO. 11 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
School districts prepare for new year ahead our buildings, require hand washing or hand sanitizer and maintaining a distance of three feet between desks/ chairs.” she said.
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Clatskanie and Rainier School District officials are preparing to welcome students to the new school year ahead with hopes of returning to a more normal education environment following the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions and challenges. “The path is clear for students to return to full time, in-person instruction next year,” Oregon Department of Education (ODE) Director Colt Gill said. The ODE has announced the Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework for the 2021-22 School Year June 25. The Resiliency Framework helps school districts prepare their staff and campuses for the next academic year. “Working together, we can harness this opportunity to rekindle joy and learning in the classrooms, auditoriums, and playgrounds across Oregon,” Gill said. “Oregon schools are ready to once again be vibrant places for learners, staff, and their families.” As Oregon enters the next chapter of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Resiliency Framework shifts public school districts to a more traditional, local decision-making model, so that communities can make the health and safety decisions that serve students best, according to the ODE. Clatskanie School District Superintendent Cathy Hurowitz said the school board discussed
Rainier School District
Metro Creative Connection / The Chief
As children return to the new school year, Clatskanie and Rainier School Districts are planning for more back to normal learning in September, while still following state and federal health and safety guidelines.
school safety at its July 12 regular public meeting. “The new guidance from the ODE and the OHA is recommendation only,” she said. “It was decided that Clatskanie School District will not require masks for fully vaccinated. We strongly recommend that unvaccinated individuals continue to wear a mask for their own safety but it is not a mandate. It will be up to the student’s family to decide the mask issue.” Hurowitz said school districts across the state were notified on July
9 that school busses fall under public transportation laws. “Students who ride the bus as well as bus drivers are required to wear a mask on the bus,” she said. “This is a federal law that supersedes state guidance.” Hurowitz said the district plans to offer in person instruction to the majority of students. “We are also continuing with our academy/alternative program and we will offer an online option for those families who want to continue to home school,” Hurowitz said.
The Clatskanie district also saw a loss of students due to the pandemic. “We are down about 80 students due to COVID-19,” Hurowitz said. “Some families moved away and some could not do online instruction and learning. We are expecting most of those students to return this year and are prepared to support them.” Hurowitz said the district will be following the health and safety recommendations provided by the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education. “We will continue to sanitize
In Rainier, Superintendent Joseph Hattrick said Rainier School District is still in the initial planning phase for the next school year this fall. “Parents should know that as we begin our planning, we are planning a return to normal,” Hattrick said. “Students will be at school five-days per week with a 1 p.m. dismissal on Wednesdays. We are still exploring the requirements around distance learning as an option and I will be seeking input from parents to determine if virtual learning options are preferred for their families.” Hattrick did not provide specific numbers of students that had left the district for one reason or the other during the pandemic. “As I understand it, districts across the country lost students and I expect as we return to in-person learning, those students will return,” he said. Hattrick said the Rainier schools would also continue to follow health and safety practices. “I think it will continue to be a best-practice to do contact tracing,” he said “In the same way we have always had visitor logs and attendance, we need to know who is on our campus. Additionally, it is our See SCHOOL Page A5
Oregon’s dangerous wildfire season
Courtesy photo from the Oregon State Fire Marshal
The Bootleg Fire in Southern Oregon has burned across nearly 400,000 acres. It is one of Oregon’s largest fires ever. HILARY DORSEY
headlightheraldreporter@countrymedia.net
“We must be prepared. Each and every one of us,” Gov. Kate Brown said during a media briefing concerning Oregon’s wildfires. As of this week, there were currently nine wildfires, consuming over 450,000 acres, burning across Oregon. The largest, at nearly 400,00 acres is the Bootleg Fire in Southern Oregon. That fire began July 7 northwest of Klamath Falls and has destroyed 21 homes and several other buildings, according to fire officials. The Bootleg Fire is now one of Oregon’s largest ever wildfires. Teams from Utah and California have partnered with Oregon to respond to the Bootleg Fire in the Fremont-Winema National Forest in Lakeview. Fire officials said the wildfire, which is believed to have
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been triggered by lighting, was over 30 percent contained by Wednesday morning. “The weather conditions – windy and dry with lightning – are truly problematic,” Brown said during the media briefing Tuesday, July 20. “It’s shaping up to be another difficult wildfire season.” There are extensive drought conditions throughout the state, with 19 counties in drought emergencies, according to Oregon fire officials.
“The remainder of the season continues to look above normal dry and above normal temperatures,” Grafe said. “This is not going to return to normal anytime soon.” The Elbow Creek Fire began July 15 and has grown over 16,000 acres and is 15 percent contained, Grafe said. The fire is in the Grande Ronde River drainage near Mud Springs. A fire fighting task force from Columbia County joined other firefighters at that location this week. Previously the Columbia County team had been assisting at the Grandview Fire, reported July 11, located near Sisters. That wildfire was close to full containment this week at approximately 6,032 acres. “Being prepared is one of the best ways you can help frontline firefighters do theirs jobs,” Brown said. “Make a plan with your family, sign up for local alerts at oralert. gov so you’re aware of fires in your community.” Fire officials in Columbia County continued to urge everyone to be aware, to be cautious and to be prepared due to the heightened wildfire dangers. The following emergency preparation recommendations can be found at Ready.gov. Recognize Warnings and Alerts
It’s shaping up to be another difficult wildfire season. ~ Kate Brown, Oregon Governor
Drought impact Department of Forestry Fire Chief Doug Grafe said the drought conditions across Oregon are driving the fire potential. “Ninety percent of the state is in exceptional, extreme or severe drought conditions,” Grafe said. The heat dome in late June – with 100 plus degrees – propelled the state into early fire conditions. There have been 580 fires to date.
Have several ways to receive alerts. Download the FEMA app and receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Sign up for community alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA)- which requires no-sign up. Make an emergency plan and review your evacuation zone Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands what to do if you need to quickly evacuate. See WILDFIRE Page A4
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
A child enjoys the water during open swim at the Clatskanie Pool.
Back in the water! JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
“I am overcome with emotion,” Clatskanie Parks and Recreation District Administrator Cyndi Warren said as she stood at the side of the Clatskanie Pool. A $600,000 renovation project began in February at the pool, at 346 NE 5th Street. The renovations are now complete. “It’s been an amazing transformation,” Warren said. “I am so excited for the kids, the lifeguards and everybody to experience the pool this summer.” Built in 1958, the Clatskanie Pool is 90-feet long, 60-feet wide, and holds approximately 135,000 gallons of water, but over the years it has aged and significant repairs were needed. The renovations include resurfacing the deck, resurfacing and repainting the pool, replacing of the old tile gutter system with a stainless steel gutter system. The wading pool has been replaced with a splash pad and multiple pool piping issues including failures, potential failures and existing leaks were addressed. The splash pad offers areas for pool patrons to pass though a series of water sprays. Certified lifeguards are stationed at the pool during operations of both the splash pad and
the pool itself. Swim lessons are also offered, as well as lap sessions, open swims, synchronized swimming and swim exercising. Prices to swim at the pool have also been adjusted this summer. “We went to one price, a $5 entry fee for everyone and we did modify and lower our summer passes because it is a shorter summer swim season,” Warren said. “Lessons are $26 for two weeks worth of lessons and we thought that was a reasonable price, so we didn’t change that.” For more details about the prices and the pool schedule, call the Clatskanie Pool at 503-728-2757. “It looks great,” Clatskanie resident John Vesik said as he walked out onto the pool deck with his three granddaughters. “Things are clean and I want to see how the little splash pad works. I have a 2-year-old here, so she’ll have fun.” The Clatskanie Pool draws thousands each summer for community and family swims, swimming lessons, aerobics, senior exercising, synchronized swim team performances and other programs. The pool also offers full and part time employment opportunities and training for student lifeguards.
Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net 1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051
ColumbiaCountyOR.Gov/Vaccine | 503-397-7247
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