SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Howard-Suamico School District has announced all students and staff in grades K-6 will be required to wear face coverings at school beginning today.
This temporary requirement will remain in place for the remainder of the first quarter, until Thursday, November 4.
School officials say that due to increasing positive COVID-19 cases among elementary students as well as significant increases in the number of students in quarantine at those grade levels the masks will be required.
The district says the decision is based on the following factors, presented to the Board of Education and monitored daily by district administration:
– HSSD COVID-19 case trends: As of today, September 17, 2021, HSSD has 33 students reporting positive COVID-19 test results and 457 students in quarantine due to close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual at school. Last year at this time there were 19 positive cases reported and 75 students in quarantine.
– Classroom closures: As of today, September 17, 2021 six HSSD classrooms have been closed due to COVID-19 exposure at school with students and staff shifting to temporary virtual learning. That equals the total for the entire month of September last year.
– New CDC quarantine guidance: Updated CDC quarantine guidance allows for less strict contact tracing when exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual happens in a fully-masked environment at school. A fully-masked environment will allow HSSD to quarantine far fewer students, and keep more students learning in school in-person if an individual at school tests positive for COVID-19.
– A COVID-19 vaccine is not yet approved for children ages 5-11.
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