Pacific Islanders in Oregon have experienced disproportionate rates of COVID-19 infection. In the Salem-Keizer School District, Pacific Islander students have also been more likely to fall behind during distance learning. Ken Ramirez, a community resource specialist for the district’s Pacific Islander community, is making socially-distanced home visits and planning incentive programs to keep students on track. Kathleen Jonathan, the district’s outreach coordinator for Marshallese students, is working to stay connected with families who mainly speak Marshallese. We talk with Ramirez and Jonathan about how Pacific Islander students have been impacted by the pandemic.
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