Staff report

PRESCOTT – Prescott School Board voted Wednesday, Aug. 18 to highly recommend masks, but they will not be required on school district property other than on school transportation.

After a meeting that lasted nearly five hours, the district sent out a news release concerning its plans for the 2021-22 school year.

A more detailed story on the meeting will be published in next week’s Journal.

The news release stated: WE BELIEVE:

•Students are best served on-site, face-to-face with highly qualified staff — five days a week.

•Providing programs that address the academic, cognitive, mental, social-emotional, and physical needs of all students is essential AND is best accomplished on site._

•Current infectious rates are at levels we have successfully navigated

•Especially 4K-Grade 5

•As staff and secondary student vaccination rates increase, we increase the probability of sustaining onsite programming.

•Staff performed heroically providing onsite and concurrent simulcast instructional programming during hybrid learning (6-12).

•These models were provided under emergency situations and admirably executed.

•However, these efforts are not sustainable for staff and our families.

To encourage a successful start to the 202122 school year we are asking everyone to do their part to ensure we keep our staff and children healthy. Last night, the school board took action and approved the following administrative plan. This plan was initially discussed and_introduced on July 28._ Administration recommended and now it is_board approved:

•The school board and administration will abide by and follow mandates and orders put in place by entities with authority and jurisdiction over PSD.

•Students and drivers on PSD buses will adhere to_a CDC-Public Transportation order_to wear a mask.

•Face coverings are highly recommended_but are not required on district property, other than school transportation.

•PSD will collaborate and cooperate with DHS, DPI, and PCPH

•PSD will observe quarantine orders for positive COVID-19_

•Close contacts–PSD will communicate to families of positive cases_

•More detailed contact tracing or close contact identification if it occurs_will be under the domain of Pierce County Public Health.

•On a weekly basis our district website landing page will report the following metrics:

•Number of active positive cases for the week

•Cumulative number of active cases_

•Percent of the community vaccinated

•As each school is different_specific school site plans approved by the school board are on each school's landing page._

•Please direct any specific questions to your school principal. We look forward to returning everyone's focus on learning, health and overall well-being.

Mitigation steps

•Vaccinations ages 12+ eligible

•Staff are eligible and clinics are accessible for all employees

•Students ages 12+ who are vaccinated are exempt from quarantine and close contact

•Estimated opportunity for vaccinations below 12 years of age by late fall

•Highly recommend masks, especially for individuals unable to be vaccinated

•There are agencies external to PSD that have the authority to order/mandate face-coverings

•At this time, none of these authorities are mandating face coverings.

•Administration is aligned with recommending, but does not see a need to go above and beyond these agencies 3. Physical distancing, spacing, hand washing, & increased ventilation 4. Symptom checks: If symptomatic stay home. Daily self-screening and testing when unsure.

We look forward to seeing students and families over the next few weeks as an array of activities are occurring on all of our campuses. “Ramp Up to School” events will be held at each building Aug. 30 and 31.