At the school board meeting on Monday night, I outlined the protocols the district will follow to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our schools.
Last year, we were wondering if we would be in school.
Today, we know we will be in school. We will learn to live with COVID-19 while still trying to minimize its impact in our schools.
Decisions will be made based on the level of transmission within the community (staff and students are directly impacted by community cases) and whether people have access to the vaccine.
*We will make decisions based on LOCAL data, not based on what is happening in Florida or California or other areas.
*Our sources will also be local – in partnership with our emergency operations officer, our head nurse and the NH Department of Public Health. We will not use politicians or Facebook for guidance.
The biggest question right now is around masks.
On Wednesday, Hudson had 46 active COVID cases.
If school were to start today, anyone under 12 will be required to wear a mask. It will be recommended that individuals 12+ wear a mask but not required. ALL district staff and students will be expected to have a mask with them.
|
Town of Hudson Cases |
Masks Under 12 |
Masks 12+ |
|---|---|---|
|
Minimal (0-19) |
Required |
Optional |
|
Moderate (20-49) |
Required |
Recommended |
|
Substantial (50+) |
Required |
Required |
With the trajectory of cases in Hudson right now, I anticipate that everyone will be required to wear a mask by August 26.
Many of the guidelines that we followed last year have significantly changed. We are in the process of putting together a comprehensive document that will be sent out on Tuesday, August 24.
Here are a few key items:
- *No masks needed outside
- *Masks are required on school buses per Federal guidelines
- *Individuals that are identified as close contacts will stay in school (except household close contacts) and self-monitor
- *There is still a 14-day quarantine requirement for international travel or returning from a cruise
- *Teachers will have the option to take off their mask when distanced from students
- *There will be a section on the district website that provides updates on COVID cases in the district
- *Frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces will continue
- *Distancing of 3 feet will be continued whenever possible – note that will not always be feasible
- *Individuals that are ill or have symptoms of COVID-19 should not enter any school building
Please know that we have received a significant amount of feedback and input over the last several weeks. This is not where any of us want to be and it’s a challenge to find a balance between a more typical year and mitigating the virus.
If you have questions, please email info@sau81.org so we can incorporate the answers into the information we send out next week.
Enjoy your last weekend before school starts.
Larry Russell
Superintendent of Schools
Important Dates
August 19 – 20 – New Teacher Orientation
August 23 – 25 – Teacher Workshop
August 26 – First day of school
September 6 – Labor Day