New London Community School District

1 week ago

Last night the Governor issued a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency. This proclamation has identified a few areas that we will need to make changes to in order to continue to provide a safe environment for all to continue school face to face. I will address several practices that we have implemented and provide an update on how the District continues to make educational decisions based on our data.

Several weeks ago we issued a second evaluation period leading us up to Thanksgiving break. During this time we made small additional mitigation practices that continued to help us minimize the spread of Covid-19. We mentioned that we would require masks by all students in PK-3rd grade if we saw an increase in absenteeism/quarantine or positive Covid-19 cases.

In the last week we have seen a steady increase in students being required to quarantine due to either a positive case in their home or being in close contact with a positive case of Covid-19 outside of school. For this reason we are going to have our PK-3rd grade students wear a mask for the majority of the day. They will be able to relax from their masks when teachers find appropriate times during the day that are safe for them. We will start this practice immediately and will re-evaluate this practice after we return from Thanksgiving break. (We have masks for those that need them at school)

Our Middle/High School has now reached the five student minimum for public knowledge in regards to positive Covid-19 cases. The positive message surrounding these cases is that in every case the student had been quarantined due to a positive case in the home or had been sent home a few days prior for having symptoms. If a student tests positive and has been in school within the last 48 hours, we continue to notify parents of students that were in close contact during the school day. Again, all students in 4th grade -12th grade have been mandated to wear a mask since October 5th.

Several events are scheduled to take place in the up-coming days or weeks. We have revised how these events will take place following the guidance from the Proclamation that was issued last night.

Gatherings
Subsection D High School-sponsored sporting and extracurricular events:
Spectators limited: The gathering organizer and all spectators must ensure that spectators are limited to no more than two spectators for each athlete, performer, or competitor participating in the gathering. The gathering organizer and all spectators must also ensure at least six feet of physical distance between each group of spectators.
Spectator masks: Although student participants are not required to wear a mask while participating in an event, all spectators over the age of two shall wear a mask for all gatherings.

Fall Play - Due to these updated policies we will be limiting all of our play and cast members two tickets for all three performances. It will be up to each member to provide the school with a pass list that will indicate who will be in attendance for each performance. Upon arrival to the show you will need to check in with the ticket takers and be identified on the pass list before entering the performance. Each ticket will cost $6.00 at the door. If you have already purchased a ticket online your money will be reimbursed in the next few days. If you are interested in supporting the cast of the play both monetarily and in spirit you may purchase a ticket to view a live performance virtually for $15. However, next week we will provide a two week window for the public to view a recording of the performance for free on Facebook. We have taken the appropriate steps to purchase a license that allows the district to post a recorded performance for two weeks. We feel the hard work of these students is well worth the additional cost.

K-12 Winter Concert - Again, due to gatherings being limited under the proclamation we will be hosting our K-12 Winter Concert virtually this year. We will only be able to provide this concert one time due to performance rights so please be sure to tune in. We will air the concert on Monday, December 7th at 7:00 PM through our Facebook account. At the completion of the concert it will be taken down and unable to be viewed again.

Sporting and Recreational gatherings: Except for high school, collegiate, or professional sporting or recreational gatherings, all sporting events or recreational gatherings of any size are prohibited

Middle School and Youth Activities - At this time through December 10th all activities for students in 8th grade or lower are suspended, this includes both practice and competitions.

High School Activities - In order to provide a continued effort to mitigate against Covid-19 during our high school activities we have mandated masks to be worn by coaches and athletes during the following times.
All participants must wear a mask during practices unless provided a break by the coach. This includes Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Wrestling, and Esports.
All participants must wear a mask during travel to an opposing site.
All participants must wear a mask during warm-ups.
All participants must wear a mask when not competing
The only time a participant will be allowed to participate without a mask on is during competition.

Again, we all need to do our part in helping slow the spread of the coronavirus. I know that we have all made sacrifices in our lives and are ready to live normally once again. Unfortunately, now is not the time to do that. Today, more than ever before, we need to challenge ourselves to do the little things to help. I know that we all are on one side or the other with all the mandates, but if we want to keep our kids in school I plead with you to join the efforts and do your part.

Sincerely,

Chad Wahls, Superintendent
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