As a District, we continue to navigate the circumstances of the pandemic and take steps toward school normalcy (pre-pandemic conditions) for our students, while recognizing some things may never go back to the way they were. The availability for all students (ages 5 and up) and staff to be fully vaccinated, which we recognize as the number one protection against COVID-19, has allowed us to take steps forward. Over the past year and half, we have shifted from “doing school” in a fully virtual mode to a hybrid or half day mode and to where we are now operating our schools in a full day, onsite setting. At the same time, we continue to provide options to our families interested in virtual learning. As part of the ongoing progression, we have shifted from 6 feet to 3 feet when physically distancing (to the greatest extent possible) based on the recommendations from guiding agencies such as Montgomery County Office of Public Health (MCOPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Our PIAA sports teams are no longer required to wear a face covering/mask when engaged in competition.

The next step as we continue to move forward, pertains to face coverings/masks. Beginning January 3, 2022, we will be shifting from requiring our students and staff to wear face coverings/masks when indoors to strongly recommending they do so. We realize in response to this change, there may be questions regarding a shift in your child's current instructional mode as well as the guidelines for quarantining if identified as a close contact. Close contact protocols and quarantining requirements may influence your decisions regarding face coverings/masking. The articles included in this letter provide more information on both topics. As per federal mandate, masks will still be required on all school district transportation.

We will continue to uphold all other mitigation measures that have been in place as part of our Health and Safety Plan. In alignment with our mission to foster an inclusive school community, we will respect the personal choices of our students and their families as well as our staff. Mask and vaccination status will not dictate classroom, teacher, or seating assignments. Should you have any questions, please contact your child’s school principal.

Sincerely,

Dr. Barbara A. Russell

Superintendent

• …if both the COVID19 positive student and an unvaccinated student who is exposed were both wearing masks and practicing physical distancing of at least 3 ft. or more, the exposed student WILL NOT be identified as a close contact and WILL NOT need to quarantine.
  
• …if both the COVID19 positive student and a masked or unmasked vaccinated student who is exposed were both wearing masks and practicing physical distancing of at least 3 ft. or more, the exposed student WILL NOT be identified as a close contact and WILL NOT need to quarantine.
  
• …in a case where either the COVID19 positive student and/or an unvaccinated exposed student were NOT both wearing masks and NOT practicing physical distancing of at least 6 ft. or more, the exposed student WILL be identified as a close contact and WILL need to quarantine.
  
• TTS is a COVID-19 strategy that allows individuals who are identified as a close contact to continue to attend school and participate in extracurricular activities for the duration of their quarantine period IF for 7 days after the last day of exposure, students (or staff)
  
• commit to assurance testing every other day, and
• produce only negative test results, and
• remain asymptomatic, and
• regularly wear a cloth face mask

Our annual Martin Luther King Day of Service will be held Monday, January 17, 2022. In light of current COVID conditions, the activities will be modified. Here's how you can get involved:

• Take Home Projects for elementary and middle school students

• Drop off donation stations at Middle School East: We will be collecting old cell phones, eyeglasses, coats and non-perishable food items

• Online workshops with Ursinus College faculty, staff and students

• Community Service and Education stations at The Thomas Keenan Stadium

• Volunteer On-Site opportunities (High School Students only)

Look for more details the first week of January.

As a note, in addition to sharing information with a trusted adult, our students can submit an anonymous tip through the Safe2Say Program. Tips are typically related to a variety of challenges our students experience or witness, such as bullying, harassment, disrespectful language, safety concerns, etc. When a tip is received, the State (who runs Safe2Say) immediately follows up with the respective building administrator.