It has now been over a month since we were able to move forward in making masking optional for students and staff. I continue to hear many express appreciation and a sense of relief that masking is no longer a requirement. Masking has indeed become a personal choice, and one that is well respected across all of our schools.

I would, however, be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to remind folks that just because we have moved to making masking optional does not mean that COVID has disappeared.

The COVID-19 virus is still very much “present” in our lives. That statement is not intended to frighten anyone, but to simply remind folks to continue to be vigilant and use common sense approaches to making sure we are doing what we can to continue to minimize its impact upon our lives.

First, remember that daily screening checks are still very important. If you have symptoms–and we all know what they are by now–stay home and consider getting tested. Reach out to our school nurses with questions, and keep an eye on our COVID 19 daily data reporting.

If you see cases start to go up, keep a closer eye on those symptoms, be more “suspicious” and if you want, consider adjusting behaviors. Just because you chose to remove the mask in March, does not mean you can’t choose to put it back on during a particularly high point of active cases.

Finally, if your child tests positive, please report that to the school so we are aware and continue to monitor for potential spread. We no longer do specific contact tracing, however, if we become aware of three confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in a single classroom within a five school day period, we will send letters home to families.

The Maine Department of Education and Maine CDC has also recently announced that schools can order two testing kits for each student and staff member. We have placed our order and expect to get these tests kits later this spring. We are unsure when exactly they will arrive, but when they do, we’ll determine if we give them out then or perhaps wait and utilize them for the safe reopening of schools this fall. We will see what the timing looks like on that and go from there.

In addition, let’s keep washing those hands and continue monitoring for symptoms. If we all remain vigilant we can ensure that even though COVID-19 may still be with us, that it doesn’t become the “life of the party” again. That is a “party” I’d like not to visit again for sure, and I’m sure you all would agree.