Dear Stillwater Community,

We are eager to return to our hybrid learning plan next week. I know students and staff will be happy to work together in-person again. Personally, I can’t wait to see students and staff in the buildings once again. Before we return to school next week, I have an important update I would like to share with our families. At this time, the district will be implementing additional masking requirements for the return on Tuesday, Jan. 19. This change means that all students and staff will wear masks during class. Mask breaks will be given as needed. We will continue to mask during all transitions, when within six feet of one another and on the bus. 

Students will not be required to wear a mask:

• while eating lunch or snack
• when playing an instrument and 12-feet or more away from others
• during a mask break

All students and staff must wear acceptable face coverings; excluding students and staff who are unable to medically tolerate a face covering. If parents believe that their child is unable to medically tolerate a face covering, they should contact their building principal. A doctor’s note will be required.

This change is due to an increase in the 7-day county average, a new strain of the virus in our county and upcoming schedule changes that will increase the number of people in our buildings daily. Most importantly, the changes to our masking protocol should decrease the rate of transmission in our schools during the winter months, thereby minimizing the number of potential quarantined students and staff due to exposure and keep our hybrid learning plan in place. 

I want to stress that we are implementing this change to lessen our chances of having to move to fully remote learning again. As we have said from the start of the school year, families have the option to switch their child to remote learning at any time. 

Looking forward, with the dissemination of vaccines, I anticipate that we will see a decrease in the county average of positive cases and be able to re-evaluate the masking protocol at that time. We look forward to a time soon, when masking is not part of our daily routine. I know you do too!

Thank you for your continued support. We could not do this without you. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Patricia Morris
Superintendent of Schools