Good morning:
As you know, we are still working on a final plan for the 2021-2022 school year as it relates to a pandemic response. Recently, the CDC released updated guidance regarding mask wearing, social distancing, and other health related issues.
Specifically, ISBE released the following statement:
"CDC continues to recommend masking and physical distancing as key prevention strategies.
Masks should be worn indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older) who are not fully vaccinated.
Masking is universally required on buses and school-related transportation. The CDC’s order requires that regardless of the mask policy at school, passengers and drivers must wear a mask on school buses.
Additionally, school administrators may opt to make mask use universally required in school, based on the needs of the community. School administrators should also be supportive of people who are fully vaccinated, but choose to continue to wear a mask, as a personal choice or because they have a medical condition that may weaken their immune system."
The CDC also said that mitigation measures can be removed, but advise doing so gradually. The end result is that the language has created a situation in which district's can consider a variety of approaches to masks.
As a result, we are asking parents for their input on this issue. Please complete this survey to share your feelings on the issue. The survey is anonymous, and the data will be used to inform our decision making process.
I appreciate your patience as we work through this. I know that everyone would like to have a clear set of answers. It will take some time.
Thank you,
Mike Ward