On Monday, April 19, 2021, our district was very fortunate to be able to open up our classrooms to full-time in person instruction 5 days per week. On behalf of the entire Waitsburg school staff, we want to thank all of our parents and families for your patience and continued flexibility as we have worked hard to get to be able to teach and work with your students during this very challenging school year. We have learned that we can rise above such trying times to work together to educate the children of this community no matter what it looks like. We know that there is no better way to educate students than by in-person instruction.
As we adjust to all students returning full-time while still adhering to the requirements outlined by the Washington Department of Health (DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we need your help to remind your children that we all must continue to follow the three W’s: Wear a mask, Wash your hands, and Watch your distance.
Keep WEARING a mask:
Between “pandemic fatigue” and warming weather, it can be tempting to start slacking on wearing a mask. Please remember that masks continue to be required for all staff and students in Washington’s schools. To prevent the spread of this airborne virus, we all must wear face masks properly while we are at school and in public; this means wearing a mask that goes over the nose and below the chin. While some folks have been using gaiters and bandanas, those do not seem to be as effective as a face mask. We encourage all students to wear a cloth face mask (personal favorite from home) or one of the school-provided 3-ply face masks that are available in the lobby of each of the 3 buildings on campus. Below are some reminders about proper mask usage.
Do’s:
- Wear a mask over your nose and mouth to help prevent getting and spreading COVID-19.
- Wear a mask in public settings when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when indoors and when it may be difficult for you to stay six feet apart from people who don’t live with you.
- Wear a mask correctly for maximum protection.
- Wear your mask under your scarf, ski mask, or balaclava in cold weather
- Keep a spare mask to replace one that becomes wet from moisture in your breath, snow, or rain.
- Store wet reusable masks in a plastic bag until they can be washed.
Don’ts:
- Put the mask around your neck or up on your forehead.
- Touch the mask, and, if you do, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
Keep WASHING your hands:
Washing hands can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrheal infections from one person to the next. Germs can spread from other people or surfaces when you:
- Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands
- Touch a contaminated surface or objects
- Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into hands and then touch other people’s hands or common objects
Keep WATCHING your distance:
While the DOH and CDC have relaxed the 6’ rule to allow for 3’ distance between students while in the classroom, there are still many instances when students and others are required to be 6’ apart. Students must be 6’ apart while eating, while in common areas such as gyms or auditoriums, while active in PE, and while near a teacher or staff members. Please see the attached handout from the Benton-Franklin Health District with helpful reminders about how recent changes impact students and schools.
It is also important to note that students need to keep wearing masks and maintaining socially distanced while at recess. Since returning to full-time school, students have likely noticed new designated “Mask Break Zones” outside during lunch and recess times. These areas are clearly marked with orange traffic cones, and individual students are able to remove their masks at these spots (one student at a time per cone).
Keep up the good work!
This has been a long and trying year for so many, and we truly appreciate your continued support and perseverance. Let’s keep the positive momentum going and finish up these last couple of months strong before we head into summer break. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me or your child’s school with any questions or concerns.