Dear Cougar Families,

We have some GREAT news to share! The Department of Health has given us the go-ahead to have more students at school as we move forward in October.

This is thanks to you and to our neighbors, who have been masking up, physical distancing, washing hands and keeping surfaces clean – all those safety measures that have helped keep the number of COVID-19 cases in our community, and in the county, low.

Assuming the county’s COVID-19 infection rate stays low, what you will see over the next couple of months is a gradual increase of students in the school, starting with our youngest learners. Health authorities suggest this approach, noting that younger children struggle most with distance learning, are at a critical stage in their development, and appear to have milder disease and transmit COVID-19 less.

Currently, our plan is that, beginning October 5:

• Kindergarten and first grade students will attend school in person and full time, and;
• All students in grades 2-8 will receive in-person instruction at least twice a week.

We will implement this plan gradually, one or two grades at a time with time in between, so that we can monitor and review any potential safety issues and adjust as we go.

In grades 9 through 12, we are taking a more individualized approach. We will increase numbers as we can, based on safety requirements and students’ individual learning styles. The cohorts your child/ren are currently part of will be maintained and expanded judiciously.

Also, don’t panic if you want your child to continue learning remotely.  Families who prefer to keep their students at home can do so, regardless of the child’s grade level.

There's more detail in the letter we're sending home with students today and next week. You can read it here, too.