Aug. 11, 2021
Ray-Pec community,

I hope everyone is enjoying the final couple of weeks of summer! The purpose of this email is to update you on the back-to-school COVID-19 mitigation protocols that were approved by the Board of Education at a meeting last night, and to provide information on the choice between in-person and virtual learning.

Fall 21-22 COVID-19 Protocols

The COVID-19 protocols that were discussed last night can be found here. On the topic of face coverings, at the current time, face coverings will be highly recommended, but not required, for all persons in all indoor environments when physical distancing cannot be maintained. We ask for your cooperation with this face covering request. 

Parents and students should know that wearing face coverings will greatly reduce the chances that a student will be quarantined should that student be a close contact of a person who tests positive for COVID-19, per recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) protocols. Face coverings are highly recommended for all students as a way to keep students in school for the greatest amount of time and involved with performing arts, after school activities, sports and social events. This graphic illustrates the importance of wearing face coverings.
Additionally, if a student or staff member is fully vaccinated, he/she will not be subject to quarantine. According to the CDC, a fully vaccinated person will need to monitor for COVID-like symptoms, get tested for COVID-19 three to five days after exposure, and wear a mask for 14 days or until a negative test is received. However, a fully vaccinated person will not be subject to quarantine.

All of our protocols, including face coverings, will be under consistent review. The Board and District Administration will be monitoring the situation, and changes to the face coverings protocol may occur at any time. 

Choice Between In-Person and Virtual Learning

As you know, registration is currently underway for the 21-22 school year. You have a choice for your children as to whether you plan to send them to our virtual education program or place them in an in-person learning environment at one of our school buildings. Many of you have already made your selection for the 21-22 school year. If you would like to change your selection, you must do so by noon on Friday, August 13. To initiate the change of choice, please log into Parent Portal and follow these instructions.

After the school year begins, it is important to know that the choice of In-Person or Virtual Education can only be changed at the semester break. If a student begins the year as a virtual education student, there will be an opportunity to move to in-person learning at semester, or vice-versa. Entry will be based on class size and teacher availability. You must notify the home building principal by the first Friday in December if you want to change your child’s selection of learning mode at the start of second semester. 

Patience and Grace Redux

Thank you for being an outstanding and supportive community. Our guiding principles for dealing with our current situation remain strong. Plan and adjust. Patience and grace. These characteristics are the hallmark of any great organization and community as it makes its way through difficult and challenging times. 

I plan to send another email next week to reinforce many of the things you and your family need to know as we prepare for the 21-22 school year.

On behalf of the Ray-Pec Board of Education, thank you for entrusting your children to the Ray-Pec School District,

Mike Slagle