Updated Mask Requirement Grades PS-12

Thursday, November 19

Superintendent Jorth

Dear Central Lyon Families & Staff,

This evening the school board held a special meeting to discuss expanding the current mask requirement to include students in grades preschool through 4^th grade. The board reviewed data concerning the number of students and staff impacted by COVID-19, heard from our local healthcare partners, and reviewed the Governor’s most recent proclamation of enhanced mitigations strategies to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

As a result of their discussion, the school board passed a measure, effective immediately, requiring all students and staff in grades preschool through 12^th grade to wear a face mask when they are unable to socially distance. In addition, masks will be required to be worn while in the hallways, lunch lines, and other common areas.

This requirement means:

• Face masks must be worn by all students and staff at all times when social distancing is not possible. Gaiters and face shields are not an approved face mask.
• Face masks do not need to be worn:
  • When eating or drinking
  • During Physical Education (PE)
  • During outdoor recess
  • When participating in athletics
• Special considerations will be made for health concerns of students and staff on an individual basis.
• The mask policy will be in effect until further notice.

I am asking all families to provide their student(s) with face masks. This will allow students to wear the style of mask they are the most comfortable with. The district will have masks available if needed. Similar to pencil or paper, masks will be an item that students will need to have in their possession at school.

In addition to the new face mask requirement, I want to reiterate other mitigation strategies that our healthcare partners have recommended to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community:

1. If you or your student(s) have any of the following high-risk symptoms or two or more low risk symptoms, stay home from work and school, and follow-up with your healthcare provider:

• High risk symptoms – new cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or new loss of taste or smell.
• Two or more low risk symptoms – fever, headache, muscle and body aches, fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

2. Avoid crowds and wear a mask as much as possible.

• With the holidays just around the corner, please give strong consideration to limiting your plans to those only within your family group. And when around others outside your group, wear a mask.

3. Practice good hand hygiene and utilize hand sanitizer frequently.

• All community members are strongly encouraged to wash their hands frequently, and carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer to use as necessary.

Onward Lions,

Brent Jorth

Superintendent