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MILL HALL -- With the first day of school a little more than a week away, Keystone Central School District superintendent Jacquelyn Martin sent out a reminder to parents, students and families on Friday to update them on the district's "pandemic response" plan for the 2021-22 school year.
Although nothing in the district's health and safety plan has changed, the email served as a reminder about the specifics of the plan.
The biggest question, of course, is about masks. And, as the email pointed out, masks are still optional -- for now.
The health and safety plan states: "Masks and face coverings may be worn by choice on district property. Since the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is currently recommending universal masking indoors for all persons, we encourage everyone to consult with their doctor, or pediatrician, when making their personal decision. Currently there are no mask mandates other than on busses."
KCSD's health and safety plan was approved during a voting session on July 8.
These are the strategies as listed in the plan:
-- Proper air ventilation.
-- Cleaning and sanitizing.
-- Personal Protective Equipment for staff and students including masks, gowns, gloves, plexiglass barriers,
hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.
-- Physical distancing when possible.
-- Promoting frequent hand washing and proper respiratory etiquette.
-- Strategic grouping of students in classes and within classes -- seating charts required on busses and for
classrooms.
-- Masks are currently required on school busses. Voluntary parent transportation is an option for families
who do not wish to use the school bus.
-- Masks and face coverings may be worn by choice on district property. Since the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is currently recommending universal masking indoors for all persons, we encourage everyone to consult with their doctor, or pediatrician, when making their personal decision. Currently there are no mask mandates other than on busses.
-- Universal wearing of face masks may be implemented based on pandemic data and consultation with local and state health officials. KCSD will enforce any state mandated orders pertaining to face masks.
-- We will maintain physical distancing of 3-6 feet when possible in our schools.
-- Temperatures will no longer be taken daily for all, but rather as needed by the school nurse when screening for COVID-19 symptoms.
-- Daily cleaning and sanitizing will continue in all buildings.
-- KCSD administrators will continue to conduct contact tracing when known cases of COVID-19 have occurred.
-- Principals may require quarantine for known contacts.
The email noted that "the rate of community spread is much lower than last spring when we were in school … but the bad news is that they are trending upward in the nation, the state and our local area."
For more information about the health and safety plan, visit the Keystone Central School District's website at www.kcsd.us.