I am writing to share that the Community of Valdez and Valdez City School District have shown consistent data that warrants moving from Red to Yellow. Recent data shows decreasing positives since our holiday break. For current information regarding specific Covid Positives, please go to http://www.
I meet regularly with health officials, as well as school district Covid Committee members. At this point I am comfortable making the following recommendation:
Masks from this point are recommended, not required. This is no time to become complacent however, as we are now challenged with the Omicron as well as seasonal health challenges.
I will be reviewing daily, and will be looking for trending data that will hopefully support my decision as we move forward. With on-site testing as well as test to stay for our student body in place, I look forward to continued success as we battle the challenges associated with
Covid-19.
This decision will be revisited prior to Spring Break with options to maintain mask free or to possibly modify.
Respectfully,
Jim Nygaard
Superintendent of Schools
COVID-19 Superintendent Letter January 13, 2022
Risk levels
Risk levels are in place to provide guidance in mitigating the impact of COVID on the District’s ability to keep our school buildings open for instruction. The superintendent, in consultation with local medical and city officials, will make the determination of when a transition between levels is needed. Transmission of this information will go to building administrators and stakeholders through all available mediums.
- Green: Community cases low, low to no positive cases in the school (staff or student), contact tracing happening easily
- When the District is operating under green conditions, all expectations and mitigations outlined in the District and school COVID Mitigation plans are in effect.
- Teachers may strongly recommend masking in classrooms
- Yellow: Community cases rising, low positive cases in the school (staff or student), contact tracing happening easily
- When the District is operating under yellow conditions all expectations and mitigations outlined in the District and school plans are in effect with the following additions:
- Masking is recommended during all hallway transition times and recommended in indoor settings at all times
- Teachers may require masking in classrooms
- Limited seating at tables during lunchtimes
- When the District is operating under yellow conditions all expectations and mitigations outlined in the District and school plans are in effect with the following additions:
- Red: Community cases rising or high, several positive cases within the school (staff or student), contact tracing difficult
- When the District is operating under red conditions all expectations and mitigations outlined in the District and school plans are in effect with the following additions:
- Universal masking is required
- School administrators may implement changes appropriate to their building sites, up to and including schedules, lunchtimes, and other strategies, including school closure.
- When the District is operating under red conditions all expectations and mitigations outlined in the District and school plans are in effect with the following additions: