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Universal Masking in Two Fourth Grade Classrooms

Posted on: September 24, 2021
COVID

Dear Miami Whitewater Elementary Fourth Grade Parents & Guardians,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

We wanted to inform you of a change in our COVID protocol in Miss Cole & Ms. Hollstegge’s homerooms, starting Monday, Sept. 27, 2021. As a result of a major uptick in positive COVID cases and the large numbers of students & staff out of class due to isolation and quarantine requirements, we are shifting to UNIVERSAL MASKING for students, staff, and visitors in Miss Cole & Ms. Hollstegge’s homerooms when indoors, regardless of vax status, starting next week and through Oct. 1, 2021. We will reassess our position and future direction as we get closer to the end of this temporary transition. The purpose of this shift is to allow time for the large number of students & staff out of class to get well and return, as well as to hinder any additional influxes of students or staff needing to be out of school.

As we have said the last several weeks, when large numbers of our students / or staff are out ill, we will shift from “strongly recommending” masks to temporary universal masking in effort to keep face to face school going.

It is beyond frustrating that we are again in this position, and I fully understand the sentiment that we are “tired of being tired” of this pandemic. But, as adults, it is imperative that we model our core values for our students each day: Trust, Respect, Ownership and Leadership, as we handle this transition. The end goal is the same – to see our students grow both academically and socially, every day. We do this best when students are in school.

Thank you in advance for your support as we make this temporary shift and for your trust as we work diligently to grow each student 1.5 years academically and socially.

We will again reach out closer to the Oct. 1 date – to discuss our next steps with regards to the COVID protocol for Miss Cole and Ms. Hollstegge’s fourth grade classes.

Our other classes will continue as they are now, with masking being “strongly recommended” until positive cases or large numbers of quarantines would require us to transition towards a temporary universal masking position.

Lastly, please do not send your child to school when they are ill. Children are being sent to school with symptoms. This cannot happen. If your child is sick, keep them home until they are symptom free, without the assistance of medication, for 24+ hours.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Nurse Simpson or Mrs. Neckel by calling (513) 367-5577.