The Hood River County School District is targeting the beginning of March to return K-3 students to their classrooms. That after the Oregon Health Authority’s released the latest county health data for the past two-weeks showing Hood River County met state metrics allows for a transition to on-site and hybrid instruction in elementary schools. In a video statement released Tuesday night, Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn said March aligns with the start of the third trimester for elementary students, but going into the classroom still depends on a few things, including remaining in alignment with the advisory metrics, stable and downward trends of COVID in the community, and staff access to COVID vaccinations. Polkinghorn said bringing back upper grade levels is complicated by physical space requirements and cohort limitations from the state. He said the district will continue to provide limited in-person instruction and co-curricular activities for secondary students.