Happy New Year, Warren Students, Families, and Staff,
We have some important announcements as we prepare to return to school tomorrow, Monday, January 3rd.
Over the last two weeks, we have been monitoring the COVID data both at the state and county levels and have noticed the impact of the Delta and Omicron variants. We will begin the second semester following the COVID safety protocols that we have been following since the beginning of the school year.
All students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask while in our school buildings and on our school buses. Masks are also required to be worn by students and staff during after-school activities. Masks need to be worn so that they cover the mouth and nose at all times. Neck gaiters, ski masks, or other types of face coverings that are not intended for mitigating the spread of COVID will not be permitted. We cannot and will not jeopardize the safety of our students and staff, and for that reason, I have directed our school administration to enforce these expectations and, if needed, assign consequences to students who do not comply with these expectations. Parents and caregivers, your support in reinforcing this with your student will help tremendously. In addition, we will be removing mask breaks in classrooms until further notice.
Parents and caregivers, I want to remind you to keep your child at home if your child:
Is not feeling well and is exhibiting COVID-like symptoms.
OR
2. Has been tested for COVID and is awaiting the results.
If your child does test positive for COVID, it is important that you contact the school so that we can accommodate your child’s academic needs and to ensure the safety of other students and our staff.
The screening tool below and linked here is a resource that can be used by families to assist with the monitoring of COVID symptoms.
Last week, the Indiana State Department of Health released new quarantine and isolation guidance for schools, and it is expected that CDC will be releasing their new guidance early this week. District administration and our Warren School Board will be meeting on Wednesday to review this guidance and make adjustments to our COVID safety protocols as needed. Any changes to our safety protocols will be communicated to our students, staff, and families.
I hope you had a wonderful break, and I look forward to welcoming back our students and staff to start 2022!
Dr. Tim Hanson, Superintendent of Schools for MSD Warren Township