COVID Update - September 1, 2021
Greenback Family,
With the number of student cases continuing to surge, we will have students mask at LMS and PHS for an increased level of mitigation. Our staff numbers leveled after we had all staff mask, but our student numbers continued to rise and we felt we were seeing some MS and HS student cases likely resulting from student-to-student contact.
We also consulted with Pratt Regional Medical Center and they reported being at a critical staffing status and seeing the same status with the larger urban hospitals. High Covid numbers not only impact those individuals who become hospitalized for Covid, but it can impact the healthcare resources available for other medical needs. Presently, this is a concern for our community.
With data showing 5-7 days of lag between a positive case and exposure, I believe we will not see the curve shift down for at least a week. We will continue to monitor the case numbers and review our masking protocol. We will downgrade our masking protocol and zone when the numbers indicate it is safe to do so for our community.
When parents are vigilant and keeping children home from school when they show symptoms, we are better protected and keep kids in school at a far better rate overall. That and masking will benefit our students in the short run until we move past this surge.
In tough times that require personal sacrifice, I always think of the generation that lived through the Great Depression and fought World War II—both the home front sacrifices and at the front. They didn’t ask to face those two challenges, they just did it. Our students have told us they are ready to do what is needed to support each other and the community. They make me proud.
We will continue to work with our local healthcare professionals with the objective to keep our schools open and our students moving forward safely. We appreciate your support.
Respectfully,
Tony Helfrich
Superintendent
Pratt Schools USD 382