February 25, 2022
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students, and School Board Members:
At this time, we are ending the universal indoor mask mandate until further notice. Masking is now recommended, but optional, and is the choice of the individual.
On February 16th, the Maine CDC issued a new Standard Operating Procedure document (set of rules that we are mandated to follow). These new rules eliminate the mandate to contact trace and, therefore, quarantinefor close contacts that are not masked in school. This rule change makes it possible for unmasked close contacts to remain in school.
It is still recommended that students and staff wear masks, but masks are no longer mandatory in the school. Any student or staff member that chooses to wear a mask may do so. Please note, while masks are not mandatory in our schools, masks are still federally mandated to be worn on our buses at all times. In addition, any positive cases that return to school after 5 days must mask for the remainder of their 10-day period.
In the last two months the local cases of COVID have remained high. The COVID virus is still spreading within our community, and we should still strive to maintain our socially responsible prevention practices.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and cooperation with thisdifficult situation. If you have any questions or concerns, please do nothesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Ronald C. Ramsay
Superintendent of Schools
MSAD #37