Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Governor and OHA will lift the mask mandate after March 11, 2022. This means on Monday, March 14, 2022, our staff and students will get to choose whether or not they wear a face covering on the bus or inside the classroom. It is a personal choice for parents, students and staff. Our hope is for everyone either masked or unmasked will enjoy a safe and welcoming learning environment. We will take the time to educate our students on the many different reasons why some staff and students might continue to wear a mask. Some might be living with someone or regularly visit with someone who is high-risk and will wear a mask to help protect them
As we give local control back to the community it is important to know that safety remains our top priority. We will continue to use the mitigation protocols that we currently have in place: frequent hand washing or using hand sanitizer when entering the building and/or classrooms. Social distancing continues to be strongly advised with the suggestion that we strive for three feet of space between each student as much as possible. Quarantining students and contact tracing for those who have been exposed will no longer be required. We will continue to limit visitors to our buildings until further notice. Families will continue to be encouraged to keep their children home if they are sick. We are going to continue to work with Linn County Public Health and we will continue with the daily health screenings.
The new protocol for those who are positive for COVID-19 and are showing symptoms is to isolate for five (5) days. Day zero (0) is the day the student first begins to show symptoms or has a positive test. Day one (1) is the first full day after symptoms develop or a positive test result. Isolation may end after 5 full days if the individual is fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved. We will offer free rapid testing for staff or students with COVID-19 symptoms as long as we have the tests available. ODE feels that this guidance will help get us through until the end of the year.
Lastly, I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you for your patience as we near the end of two years of changing guidelines. I know the challenges have been many and great and we will continue to assist all students for success. Please contact your school’s principal or counselor if you are concerned about the social and emotional wellbeing of your child. I have been impressed with the way our students come to school every day and follow the protocols we have in place for safe learning. Go EAGLES!!