Covid Mask Guidelines
As we approach the end of the school year I want to thank everyone for being patient and supportive as we have worked through this unique and challenging school year.
It has been our goal to offer full onsite instruction since the start of the year, and to do so in a safe manner for our students and staff.
Our mitigation strategies, including masking, have been instrumental in achieving this goal and will continue to be as we maintain onsite instruction for PK-12 students.
Linn-Mar will continue to require face masks through the end of the 2020-21 school year. The health and safety of our students, staff, and their families remain a top priority as we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. The District continues to implement layered mitigation strategies in compliance with federal and state public health guidance.
We are maintaining mask requirements with the following rationale:
- The Iowa Department of Public Health identifies masking as an effective mitigation strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Masking allows us to reduce the number of required quarantines when students are masked during exposure, resulting in fewer interruptions to our students’ school year.
- The CDC still recommends layered mitigation strategies, including prioritizing universal and correct usage of masks.
- We are seeing success from our mitigation strategies (including masking) in limiting spread and exposure at school. Please see the Linn-Mar data reported weekly at this link.
A decision about mask usage for next school year (2021-22) will be made this summer once we receive updated information and guidance from the CDC, Linn County Public Health, and the Iowa Department of Education.
We appreciate your continued cooperation and support. Have a great rest of the school year!
Shannon Bisgard, Linn-Mar Superintendent