Dear West Valley staff, students, and parents:
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work through this pandemic together. We are coming up on two years since schools statewide abruptly transitioned to remote learning, and this community has risen to the challenge! While it’s not been easy on anyone, families now have more options for student learning than ever before, our staff is working hard to meet student needs, and our community continues to support West Valley schools.
As you may already have heard, the governor announced this afternoon that the state will lift the mask mandate in school buildings for Kindergarten through 12th grade on Monday, March 21st. That marks a new, positive milestone in moving toward an endemic.
Today’s news puts us in a position to finish the school year strong, with a structured transition back to more of a pre-pandemic school environment. We understand this change will be embraced by some while causing concern for others. We have not yet finished the “COVID race,” and we will continue to be diligent about layered mitigation strategies that are still in place.
These COVID protocols will be modified as a result of today’s announcement:
- On Monday, March 21st, in alignment with state guidelines, masks will become optional for everyone inside school buildings, regardless of vaccination status.
- After the Presidents’ Day weekend, we will no longer need to move classrooms to virtual learning due to COVID exposure. (COVID-positive individuals will still need to isolate, in accordance with public health guidelines.)
These layered mitigation measures will remain important:
- Families are asked to remain diligent, staying home when sick and calling the school for the next steps to return to school.
- The requirement remains for symptomatic individuals to provide negative COVID test results to return to school.
- COVID testing is available in every school and at the West Valley district office.
- Anyone who tests positive for COVID must still isolate and follow public health guidelines for returning to school.
As you can see above, we continue to follow health guidelines to keep everyone safe, and our classrooms and schools open. This remains a partnership between families, students, and schools. Your continued support will help keep our schools focused on student academics and social development in a safe environment.
Community Connections webinar - Thursday, February 24; 5-6 p.m.
Please join us on Zoom for a Community Connections webinar. We’ll provide more specific details about these new changes, and take your questions.
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/92921829315
By phone: 1 253 215 8782
Webinar ID: 929 2182 9315
West Valley School District will continue to work through this the way we always do, and that is together.
Kyle Rydell
West Valley School District Superintendent