Elma School District

Dear Elma Students and Families:

The State Department of Health (DOH) released updated guidance for schools to align with the statewide mask order lifting after this Friday, March 11.

As the Governor announced a few weeks ago, beginning Saturday, March 12, masks will not be required in schools – it will instead be each employee and student’s choice whether to continue masking after the requirement is lifted. This personal choice will not be infringed upon.

Key points in the updated guidance include:

• Nurse/health rooms: Masks will still be required in nurse/health rooms and isolation rooms by all students, staff, and visitors, as these are considered healthcare settings.
  
  
• Positive COVID: Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are required to:
  • Isolate for at least 5 days. They may return to school after 5 days if their symptoms have improved.
  • After their 5-day isolation, on days 6–10 after a positive test, students and staff will be required to wear a well-fitted mask or a face shield with a drape or test negative with an antigen or at-home test.

• Close contact: If a student or staff member reports being identified as a close contact, they may remain in school/work as long as they are asymptomatic.
  
  
• Symptomatic: If symptoms of COVID persist more than 24 hours, students/staff are required to provide a negative COVID test to return to work/school.

As we move forward, we will continue to:

•  Notify our local health department of cases of COVID-19.
  
  
• Notify individuals and groups in the case of an outbreak
  
  
• Provide student and staff access to testing for COVID-19

• Provide student and staff with PPE
  
  
• Social distance to the best of our ability
  
  
• Update the COVID case count dashboard on the District website daily

The full guidance can be found on DOH’s website.

Sincerely,

Chris Nesmith
Elma School District
Superintendent