On Feb. 28, the Governor announced a change of date for the lifting of the statewide mask mandate for schools.  Beginning Saturday, March 12, barring any new requirement from our local health department, masks will be optional for all PSD students, staff, volunteers and visitors.

Over the past two years, our students, staff, and families have done an incredible job supporting and adapting to changing health and safety guidance in schools as public health experts learned more about COVID-19 and effective mitigating strategies. The lifting of the statewide indoor mask mandate is one step towards returning to normal health operations in our schools. Students, staff, volunteers and visitors will have the choice to wear a mask at schools and district facilities, if personally desired. For staff, we will continue to provide access to high-quality masks and PPE so that individuals feel comfortable in their specific work environment.

While the masking requirement will soon change, our level of commitment to health and safety has not. We will continue tracking and reporting COVID-19 cases and outbreaks, as with any other communicable disease, and work with public health officials in responding to them. We will also continue to emphasize good hand-washing hygiene, provide hand sanitizer, utilize COVID-19 testing, frequent cleaning, physically distancing where possible, and remind anyone who is sick to stay home. Those exposed to COVID-19 should continue to follow the quarantine and isolation timeframes for returning to work or school.

If there’s anything the pandemic has taught us, it is the importance of patience, support, and kindness. Even with this update, we know some of our staff and students will want to continue to mask up. Please know that we will support everyone in their decisions and respect everyone’s right to choose for themselves. A sense of belonging in schools cannot happen if someone feels bullied or harassed. Remaining kind and respecting individual mask choices is fully encouraged and supported.