Return to School Communication 7-24-20

July 24, 2020

Dear Parents and Community Members:

R.S.U. No. 67, like other schools across Maine, continues to prepare to return to school this fall.  Our reopening plan will include three different levels:  fully remote (in the event the Maine Department of Education and Center for Disease Control determine that our region's health indicators call for a more restrictive learning environment), in-person instruction (in the event those health indicators allow for greater in-person gatherings), and a blended model (in the event health indicators are cautionary, but not entirely restrictive). 

We firmly believe returning to school is important for our children, their families, and our community.  We have been working tirelessly to develop plans to welcome students back safely.  Our priority continues to be the health and safety of our student, staff, and community. 

In order to reopen our schools fully or in a blended model, we are required to follow guidance from the Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the framework from the Department of Education.  These requirements include the following:

 * Students and staff members must conduct a self-check for symptoms prior to boarding buses or entering school buildings each day.  (A checklist will be provided.)

*  Any person showing symptoms must report their symptoms and must not be present at school.

*  Adults and students age two and above are required to wear a mask/face covering that covers their nose and mouth, including on the bus. Face shields may be an alternative for those with medical or other health reasons.  (Mask breaks will be provided throughout the day.)

*  Adults must maintain 6 feet of distance from others to the extent possible.  Maintaining 3 feet distance is acceptable among students when combined with other safety requirements. Six feet of distance is required while students are eating or masks removed.

*  All students and staff must wash their hands or use sanitizing gel upon entering the school, before and after eating, before and after donning and removing a face mask, after using the restroom, before and after use of playgrounds and shared equipment, and upon entering and exiting a school bus.

*  Sick staff members and students must use home isolation until they meet the criteria for returning to school.

For the full Framework visit the Maine Department of Education website here.

We remain dedicated to establishing a safe, effective model to begin the 2020-2021 school year.  We will continue to provide updates throughout the next several weeks.  Thank you for your continuing support.

Sincerely,

Jean Skorapa, Superintendent of Schools