Dear Students and Families,
Today, Friday, May 14th, we met as an administrative team to discuss the new CDC guidance for fully vaccinated people. The CDC guidance states that fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing themselves, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
Due to the fact that the majority of our students are not yet vaccinated West Liberty Community School District will proceed with using our current protocols and practices to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Day to Day Operations:
Continue to enforce our mask policy, physical distancing, handwashing, and respiratory etiquette in the school/buses/district buildings setting. By continuing to implement this policy we will be:
Following the CDC Key Point recommendations for schools #3 link “All schools should implement and layer prevention strategies and should prioritize universal and correct use of masks and physical distancing.”
Avoiding educational disruptions for children as we conclude the school year due to quarantines or a potential school shut down. (To date there is no vaccine for children under the age of 12 years of age and not all children are vaccinated.)
Continue to practice our operational strategies to provide the safest learning environment possible for our students and staff.
Senior Awards Night (Tuesday, May 18th):
Seniors are allowed 4 guests each and will be assigned seating for those guests in the High School auditorium.
Masks will be worn during awards night, as board policy (504.23) requires all students, staff, and visitors wear appropriate face coverings in district buildings.
Presenters will not be present and the event will also be live-streamed on the West Liberty CSD YouTube channel.
Graduation (Sunday, May 30th):
Attendance at the graduation ceremony will be limited to best ensure the safety of our students and attendees who are not yet vaccinated. Seniors will be given 4 tickets each for family members to attend in the High School gymnasium. Seniors will receive their 4 tickets at graduation practice on Friday, May, 28th.
Masks will be worn during the graduation ceremony as board policy (504.23) requires all students, staff, and visitors wear appropriate face coverings in district buildings.
This event will also be live-streamed on the West Liberty CSD YouTube channel.
Spring/Summer Sports Activities:
Due to the fact that the majority of our students are not yet vaccinated, we will continue with the same safety protocols as we have used throughout the year.
Quarantine practices will continue.
Masks will be required for baseball/softball players in dugouts.
We strongly encourage spectators to wear masks at sporting events.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to provide a safe learning environment for our students. We will continue to watch for CDC, Federal, State, and Local guidance and reassess the situation as needed throughout the remainder of the school year and for summer activities.
Sincerely,
West Liberty Community School District Administrative Team