To: All parents, guardians and patrons of the Garretson School District
Greetings,
The number of Covid-19 cases in the region continue to climb, and the Garretson School District is seeing a similar trend. As of January 18th, there are 13 students identified as positive cases k-12. We continue to watch national, state-wide, regional, and local trends in positive case counts.
Per the District’s covid plan, we are moving the district’s threat level to “yellow.” What this means is that all district students and staff are strongly encouraged to wear a mask in cases where appropriate distancing is not possible.
We are hopeful that things will improve in a relatively short time frame, however, if things continue to trend in the current direction, it is possible that the district could move towards a “red” designation, which includes universal masking, in the future.
Our main priority remains to keep our school open to our students, for face-to-face learning opportunities. The Garretson School Board reviewed the district’s covid plan at the January school board meeting. The board decided to wait one month to implement the updated CDC guidance that allows those with a positive case to quarantine for five days and then return to work/school masked until 10 days have elapsed. The Garretson School District still requires a 10-day quarantine period for those who test positively for Covid.
It is also important to note that we have seen a significant number of students with other communicable diseases including influenza and the “stomach flu.” We remind everyone that one of the most powerful interventions we can make is to stay home if you are showing symptoms of being sick (whether with covid, influenza or any other communicable ailment).
We thank you in advance for helping to keep our kids learning with us in school.
Sincerely,
Guy Johnson, Superintendent
