Dear Parents and Guardians,
First of all, we want our students, parents and community to know that we care about you and want what is best for each of you.
As we try to navigate (or muddle) through every day new guidance, reports, mandates, orders, studies, opinions, we want to do what is right.
For three decades one of my favorite quotes is from Harry Truman:
“Doing what’s right is easy, compared to knowing what it is.”
Regarding D 2020 138 Executive Order – Masks
Governor Polis’ Executive Order Dated July 16 can be viewed here:
We know that the Governor’s Executive Order, especially in regards to health, has the same rule as law.
This Executive Order was issued on July 16, for 30 days. By next week, we will know if it will lapse or if it will be extended.
Although I hope for flexibility throughout the state, I will guess that it will be extended.
For six weeks in a row, COVID-19 cases have been rising. A bit of good news, at the beginning of this week, it was announced that the COVID-19 infectious rate had finally shown a decline of 20% in Colorado.
If the Executive Order is extended as written
Big Sandy Schools plan to recognize Section II. G that states:
“Except as permitted by Paragraphs L, M, and N, below, all individuals over ten (10) years old must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when entering or moving within any Public Indoor Space, as such term is defined in Paragraph R of this Executive Order, or while using or waiting to use the services of any taxi, bus, light rail, train, car service, ride-sharing or similar service, or Mass Transportation Operations.”
What this means for daily operations
Getting to the point, students when entering the building and while they are moving around in the halls and classrooms, to the bathroom, going to and from lunch, must have masks on.
Once in the classroom and seated with proper social distancing, they can pull their mask down if they would like.
Within our buses, we will also ask that all students wear masks.
Physical Education
In Physical Education classes, we hope to have students going outside as much as possible (if there is one positive about it being so dry this summer, it might be that we have not had mosquitoes, yet).
In some cases with medically fragile immune systems, we may require masks being worn during the whole class period.
Masks Provided by School
We have ordered cloth Simla Cubs face masks for all students and staff which are not medical grade. As a disclaimer, we know there are better masks on the market and students and families certainly can provide a higher quality mask if you choose to.
Working together to continue in-person learning
When I look at what we need to do at schools and recognizing that we are in session 32 hours a week whereas students are outside of school for 136 hours a week, we all will need to do our part in order to continue in-person learning throughout the school year.
In trying to balance the fact that we have several medically fragile students and staff members with those that have very strong differing opinions, we ask for understanding.
In working with the local health departments, we have developed multiple layers of safety within our school. The more layers we adhere to, the better chance we have to stay healthy.
Will everything be perfect? I doubt it, and there will still be risks.
But, we ask that each of us do our part with the many things that we can control including washing our hands, social distancing whenever practical, keeping sick children at home.
Other safety precautions that are being put in place include:
Bus plans, entrances, fogging, visitors, lunch, ventilation, lockers, desk spacing, cleaning, sanitizer, supplies, weight room, aides, preschool, cohorts, Plexiglas, custodians, drinking fountains, disinfectant, recess, masks…)
We hope to provide a safe and profitable education for all of our students!
And for those families that desire not to have the in-person schooling, we want to work alongside you and provide a good online option.
Thank you all,
Steve Wilson