It was always a possibility, but now it’s official: Oregon schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year.

Previously the state had left the door open to in-person classes resuming at the end of April, but on April 8 Governor Kate Brown announced in a press conference that schools will continue through distance learning for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year.

“I know there is a lot of anxiety over how we will move forward,” she said. “I know our students are extremely disappointed they are missing classes, prom and graduation ceremonies. But the best thing we can do for the health of our children and for thousands of educators across the state is to give everyone certainty by announcing the decision today to close in-person classes for the remainder of the school year. School, and learning, will continue as best as we can by using remote means.”

She said remote learning could look like a lot of different things for students, such as video classes, interactive online activities, phone calls and filling out paper homework packets.

Brown said the decision was made in consultation with health and education experts and was made with the health and safety of students and school employees in mind, but acknowledged the burden it placed on parents and other caregivers.

“To all the moms and dads, I can’t imagine what you’re up against, balancing parenting during this very scary crisis while I know many of you have either lost a job, or are a first responder, or are trying to work from home with your kids there, all the time worried about education and figuring out homeschooling,” she said.

Brown also announced long-awaited guidelines on what the development will mean for high school seniors, just months away from graduation.

Seniors who were on track to graduate as of March 13 will automatically receive a passing grade on this semester’s classes. The state is leaving it up to individual districts to address with seniors whether they will continue their studies despite already passing.

For seniors who still needed to make up credits or were failing their classes as of March, Brown asked school districts to focus their efforts on finding “creative” ways to help get those students “across the finish line” by Aug. 31.

She said Oregon’s public universities are committed to considering all incoming freshmen “fairly” in light of the disruption to their education, and also said that none of those universities would take students’ acceptance away, as long as the students graduated.

The state’s ”Distance Learning for All” guidelines provide further instructions regarding questions about dual credit classes, individualized education plans and other concerns. Districts are being urged to create “alternate” plans for graduation ceremonies, such as holding an event online.

Hermiston School District released a statement Wednesday letting students and parents know that district staff are reviewing each senior’s classes and will be reaching out to them individually to discuss their status.

“As the situation continues to evolve and the district has guidance regarding students in grades 9-11, the district will communicate further at that time,” the document stated.

The district will continue to provide breakfast and lunch to students via its bus routes, and has checked out Chromebooks to families in need of a device for their student to continue coursework online. Students without internet access can find free Wi-Fi hotspots around town by visiting https://wifi.xfinity.com and searching for their ZIP code.

Details such as when students will be able to collect their personal items from their lockers and desks are still being worked out, and the district will communicate those decisions with parents and students in the future.

“Thank you to the Hermiston community for its continued support and understanding through this unprecedented public health crisis,” Superintendent Tricia Mooney said in a statement. “It is during trying times such as this that we see the true strength of a community.”

She said in-person classes are expected to resume on Aug. 24 for the 2020-21 school year.

At the statewide press conference, Brown thanked all Oregonians for complying with social distancing orders, which have reduced the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

“I know how hard this is on every single Oregonian and I thank you for your sacrifice,” she said. I also know that the measures we have put into place are necessary actions right now to save lives. I wish I could make it easier for everyone and I wish I could eliminate the frustration that so many of us are feeling right now.”