The school year is rapidly approaching and anxiety is rising for parents, children, teachers and school districts.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has said school reopening decisions will likely be made locally. The Oregon Department of Education has released reopening outlines for districts, most recently on July 21. ODE said districts can choose between fully in-person learning, a hybrid or comprehensive distance learning. For example, as of mid-July the Beaverton school district offered families two choices: a school-based hybrid model with part at-school learning and part at-home online instruction; or a FLEX Online School in which BSD teachers will instruct using a curriculum specifically designed for online learning.
To help parents destress and make informed decisions, a series of Zoom conversations for parents of different age groups is being offered by Jewish Family & Child Services, PJ Library Portland and the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, with support from the Holzman Foundation. Join facilitated conversations with Dinah Gilburd, LCSW, from Jewish Family & Child Service, "as we talk about the choices parents are making for the fall with their preschoolers and their elementary school students. There are no right answers, but there is the opportunity to learn and process through these hard topics."
Finding Balance in Preschool Re-Entry will be Thursday, July 23, 8:30-9:30 pm. 
Finding Balance in Elementary School Re-Entry will be Tuesday, July 28, 8:30-9:30 pm. 
Conversations for parents about middle school and high school re-entry are being planned, but no dates or facilitator have been set. 
For more information, contact JFGP Director of Educational Initiatives Rachel Nelson at rachel@jewishportland.org.