Dear Parents,
I was not sure when the day would come that I would be writing to you regarding our return to school, classrooms, and our beloved carpool. I am smiling as I write this, today is that day.
I understand that there are concerns, questions, hesitations, and general anxiety regarding returning to the classrooms. I have spent many hours sharing your concerns as well as my own with Dr. Cox over the past weeks/months. In every meeting, the safety and health of our students and faculty has been the focus and top priority. I am confident we are doing everything possible to keep ourselves and our students safe while here at school. We are truly blessed to be returning under the leadership of Dr. Cox.
Now I am asking for your help. As all of our students will be required to wear masks while here at school, I ask that you begin having them wear masks at home. Beginning today, start with 15/30 minutes and work up to a few hours each day. This introduction to wearing a mask will make the transition to wearing one at school much easier and less scary. Keeping masks on our younger students, as well as our middle school students, will present challenges and we are ready to address those as they arise. Suggestions have your child wear a mask when they are playing video games, texting on their phone, on the computer, or watching television. Positive reinforcement will help with your requirements of their mask wearing. Please do not use scare tactics for young children, separating from the safety of their home space and from you may already cause anxiety.
We will be having proper hand washing techniques performed in the classrooms. I can tell you students are proud as can be when they already know something I am teaching. Please encourage proper and frequent hand washing at home. Have you been requesting more frequent hand washing from your children? Are they actually washing their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds, washing all parts of their hands, palms, fingers? Did they use soap? I remember asking to feel my sons' hands when they responded yes to my question, "Did you wash your hands?" Dry as a bone, the only thing getting wet was the bottom of the sink when they turned the water on for a quick second
We will not be requiring a negative COVID test before students are allowed to return for the school year on September 1st. If a student is sent home ill, they may require a negative COVID test before returning to school. I will inform you of all requirements a student must meet before returning to school when you pick your child up from the clinic.
As we will be practicing social distancing to the extent we can here at school, we ask
that you practice proper social distancing protocol at home. In order to keep our schools open and our children learning in the best environment, we must work together.
Regarding immunizations, all must be up to date before returning to school. If your child has received any immunizations, please submit an updated immunization record to the clinic. I will be reviewing the records I have and will inform you if I am missing anything. Please note it is a parent's responsibility to insure their child is up to date on required vaccines/immunizations.
Our middle school will not be participating in fall sports. That being said if your child is going in for their annual physical and may plan on participating in school sports once sports return, please have the doctor complete the required forms, which can be found on our website. This will clear your child for participating in school sports once they return.
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to seeing all of you in carpool and your child's safety and health at school is my priority.
Karin M. Diaz RN/BSN
School Nurse
