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Greenback Family,

We will continue in our Amber zone following Thanksgiving Break.   The judgment of both the Pratt County Health Department and the Kansas Pediatrics Covid Workgroup is that students are at less risk of acquiring Covid-19 in school and there is less risk of community spread with students in school.  We stay in constant consultation with the Pratt County Health Department and our local data overwhelmingly supports this.

I want to emphasize, however, that we are still at risk of moving to Orange or Red in the future due to staffing shortages, which are caused in large part by quarantine numbers.  We are operating on a razor-thin margin at times.  If we do make that move in the future, we would still use one day for communication and setup to make that transition as smooth as possible.  Naturally, we would communicate that as early as possible.

The Health Department believes the schools’ fidelity to its protocols, especially including masking, positively contributes to the lower risk of spread.  Yes, there is a risk of a surge following Thanksgiving gatherings.  I do believe our community has been supportive and is making a strong effort to “flatten the curve.”  We especially appreciate how consistently our spectators have masked at events.  Besides mitigating the spread of Covid, it sends a positive message to our athletes about how much we care about them and want to give them every opportunity to stay on the mat or the court this winter.  Sacrifice for others is a hallmark of a great community.

The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) is meeting today and voting on restrictions regarding winter activities—these could include limits on spectator numbers and competition dates.  We will pass those results on.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the fellowship with family.

Respectfully,

Tony Helfrich

Superintendent

Pratt Schools USD 382