Mask Mandate Going Into Effect For Grades 6-12 At Sullivan
The Sullivan School District is implementing a mask mandate for all middle school and high school students to avoid future quarantines.
Superintendent Dr. Jana Thornsberry sent a message to district parents on Wednesday making the announcement.
It will go into effect Monday, Nov. 23.
Students in pre-school through fifth grade are encouraged to weark masks.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced last week that if schools have a mask mandate and a student or staff member is exposed to a positive contact, they will not have to quarantine.
We recognize that there may be some disagreement about the idea of wearing masks, but as a school district, we need to use the new guidelines to keep students in school and out of quarantine. It is highly recommended that students in grades PK-5 wear a mask,” Thornsberry wrote.
Thornsberry said personnel will be emailing or calling parents any time their student has been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive case to provide instructions on self-monitoring or quarantining if the protocols were not or could not be followed.
The health department will follow-up by contacting COVID-19 positive individuals to contract trace under these new guidelines.
Thornsberry continued: The Sullivan School District will continue to take our student’s and staff’s health and safety seriously during these unprecedented times. We will continue to monitor our data related to positive cases (students and staff), quarantines (self and health department directed), substitute fill rates, and staffing abilities. This information will assist the administration and Board of Education in the decision making process. As conditions change at the national, state, and local levels, guidelines may continue to change as well. We will continue to communicate as decisions are made or as the situation evolves. We appreciate your understanding and ask that you do all that you can at home to protect your family and loved ones over the coming days and months.