Students in grades 7 through 12 at Sturgeon Bay Schools will no longer have to wear masks beginning on Monday.
It is a part of a tiered approach the district is taking after its school board met on Wednesday. Under the plan, students in preschool through sixth grade will have to wait until January 3rd before masking is optional for them in the classroom.
The school board also approved new guidance that could allow more students to attend school in different situations. Close contacts will only have to quarantine if they are having symptoms and choose not to get tested. Otherwise, they would need to have a negative PCR test, go 24 hours symptom-free, and wear a mask for 14 days. Students with no symptoms will be able to attend classes with a mask for 14 days while monitoring their symptoms. The full grid is available by clicking this link.
Superintendent Dan Tjernagel added in his correspondence with families and staff members that the updated guidance is subject to change in the weeks and months ahead.
The school board also approved the 2022-2023 school year calendar, which will begin on Thursday, September 1st, and tentatively end on June 6th.
FULL CORRESPONDENCE FROM STURGEON BAY SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT DAN TJERNAGEL
Good morning, School District of Sturgeon Bay Families and Staff Members.
It has now been 20 months since the school building closure in the spring of 2020. I have two important COVID-related updates to share after last night’s regular Board of Education meeting, as well as three quick items. First, in last night’s Board meeting updated COVID-19 Procedural Guidance was approved. The new procedures grid is in the process of being posted on the district website on the COVID-19 Information page, and I included a link to the document below.
In a nutshell, the updated COVID-19 procedures focus on students who don’t have symptoms being able to attend school in more situations—even if needing to monitor symptoms closely, obtain a negative PCR test, and/or wear a mask for a certain number of days. Thank you in advance for working with the staff at your student’s school so this can be successful.
Second, in last night’s Board meeting a tiered approach to facial coverings was approved.
Grades 7-12: Effective Monday, November 22, 2021, optional masking returns for students and staff in grades 7-12.
Grades preK-6: Effective Monday, January 3, 2022, optional masking returns for students and staff in grades preK-6.
I know we’ve all heard this too many times, but COVID-related situations and procedures are subject to change in the weeks and months ahead.
Third, the 2022-2023 school year calendar was approved. The calendar will be added to the school district website. There will be 180 days of school starting Thursday, September 1, 2022, with the last day of school scheduled for Tuesday, June 6, 2023 (pending snow days, etc.). I included a link to the calendar for next year below.
Fourth, don’t forget about the Community Open House event on Tuesday, November 30 from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M. If you want to see any of the updates in our school facilities this is a time you are welcome to check things out.
Finally, thank you to everyone who has already responded to the Community Survey sent out by School Perceptions on behalf of the district and our Board. We know people are busy, so we appreciate everyone who is taking the time to be informed and give their input. The survey closes on Wednesday, November 24.
Thank you for your time and attention. Have a great Thanksgiving, and good luck to all the deer hunters out there.
Sincerely,
Dan Tjernagel, Superintendent
