On this day, January 4, 1945, Two men working near Medford, Oregon, heard a blast, saw flames, and found a twelve-inch-deep hole in the ground where the bomb had exploded. The U.S. Office of Censorship asked the news media not to publish reports for fear it might cause panic. It was the first of a Japanese balloon bomb, experimental weapons intended to kill and cause fires.
Also on this day, January 4, 2018, the state of Oregon sued Monsanto over pervasive pollution from PCBs and sought $100 million to mitigate pollution , particularly along a 10-mile stretch of the Willamette River. Federal authorities in 2016 announced a $1 billion cleanup in the area.
“Portland Public Schools and its labor union partners are outlining the detailsâ€
In a press release dated August 18, 2021 sent to colleagues, Chief of Human Resources Sharon Reese at Portland Public Schools has announced that all Portland Public Schools staff will be required to be vaccinated, unless they have an approved exception. It is not clear what the approved exceptions will be or if there will be any exemption for COVID-19 survivors who can be presumed to have natural immunity.
The
statement is as follows
"The public health guidance is clear -- vaccines are the best way to prevent the spread and the severity of COVID. Today we are announcing a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all PPS staff.
"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have followed the guidance of public health experts to best ensure the health and well being of our students and staff members. The State of Oregon has communicated that local school districts are in the best position to determine further measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In alignment with public health experts’ recommendations, Portland Public Schools, along with its labor partners, is committed to taking every step possible to ensure the health and safety of our students, employees, and community.
"Today, as we prepare to welcome students back to school for full-time in-person instruction on September 1, PPS, the Portland Association of Teachers and the Portland Federation of School Professionals have agreed with the concept that we will require all employees -- including classroom teachers, school-based and central office staff -- to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
"PPS and its labor union partners are outlining the details of this vaccine requirement for the 2021-2022 school year. More information will be made available to all PPS employees by Monday, August 23.
"In short, all PPS employees will be required to submit proof of full vaccination by August 31, unless they have an approved exception. PPS employees who do not provide proof of vaccination by August 31 will be required to be tested regularly, or until proof of vaccination is submitted.
This shared commitment and announcement to require the COVID-19 vaccine for all PPS staff is another important, safe and effective way to protect our students, staff and community and towards our path to ending this pandemic.
--Staff Reports| Post Date: 2021-08-20 08:17:33 | Last Update: 2021-08-19 18:03:01 |
