As stated on August 20, 2021, “At the end of the 2 week period, school transmission will be reviewed. If Alma Public Schools does not have school spread, as defined as 2 or more cases spread due to contact while at school, masks will return to optional. Every two weeks we will reevaluate until the “New Weekly Case per 100,000 is below 100 (Orange based on CDC criteria).”
Today, September 3, 2021, the COVID Response Team, under the administrative lead of Mrs. Criner, reviewed Alma Public Schools’ COVID-related data and has determined that we do NOT currently have school spread. Therefore, masks will be optional beginning Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
Parents, please consider the following factors when making your decision;
The CDC continues to maintain the STRONG recommendation that everyone should mask during indoor activities.
Gratiot County remains in the red with 169.4 new cases/100,000 for the week of August 26, 2021- September 1, 2021. (When viewed on September 3, 2021, at 11:00 AM.)
Neighboring districts with optional mask policies have experienced significant quarantine situations already in their first few days.
10-day quarantines will be required for close contacts. Close contacts are students who have been within 6 feet unmasked or less than 3 feet masked for more than 15 minutes in a 24 hour period.
Exclusions:
The student has been fully vaccinated and is symptom-free.
The student has been COVID positive within the last 90 days and is symptom-free.
Please make this informed decision carefully. I am happy to discuss any questions you might have and provide additional information upon request. We need to work together to keep our kids safe.
Sincerely,
Stacey Criner