Dear Parents, Guardians, and DCSS Staff,
I would once again like to express my sincere appreciation for the overwhelming support and cooperation with the mask mandate that was implemented on August 2, 2021, amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in our county and state. We credit the wearing of masks, contact tracing, and other safety protocols with the fact that we have not been required to close any classes or schools this year.
At the Board of Education meeting on Monday, November 1, I presented the current data regarding COVID cases to the Board members.
COVID numbers in our community have dropped substantially over the past few weeks, and the number of cases in our schools has decreased significantly. We are now experiencing a moderate spread of COVID in Douglas County (51-99 cases of COVID per 100,000 people over the last two weeks), the point at which Cobb & Douglas Public Health supports making masks strongly recommended, not mandated, in schools.
After careful consideration, the Board of Education has made the following decisions regarding the mask mandate.
- Effective Monday, November 8, masks will be strongly recommended, not mandated, in our middle schools, high schools and administrative offices.
- At this time, masks will continue to be required in our elementary schools for students, staff, and visitors. We will continue to evaluate the situation for elementary schools.
- Masks will still be required for all students and adults riding our school buses, due to federal regulations.
I realize that we have many students and staff in our middle and high schools who will still feel more comfortable wearing a mask, and we encourage them to do so.
We will continue to carefully monitor COVID data in our community and publish the number of cases in our schools. If we see a rise in COVID cases in the coming weeks or months, we will reconvene once again to adjust our safety protocols.
With the easing of the mask mandate in our middle and high schools, I look forward to a semblance of normalcy in light of the COVID outbreak. I am grateful for the leadership our Board of Education has provided during these unprecedented times, and, as always, I appreciate the support of our parents and community.
Sincerely,
Trent North, Superintendent