North Wasco County School District 21 has confirmed it will remain in comprehensive distance learning until at least mid-second trimester in mid-January. In a letter to parents, D-21 Interim Superintendent Theresa Peters says COVID-19 numbers for Wasco County remain above the threshold for on-site or hybrid learning, and they are trending in the wrong direction. Peters told the D-21 board that in meetings with North Central Public Health District Health Officer Dr. Mimi McDonell it was clear students should not be returning to classrooms right now. In her letter to parents, Peters said the district will continue preparations for a phase-in of on-site instruction for elementary school students when it can be done safely, and another update is planned for the week of January 18.