- Hello, Blue Springs School District families.
I am Bob Jerome,
Assistant Superintendent of Operations
and Superintendent Elect.
This week, we are wrapping up a successful three weeks
of in-person summer school.
Students at all age levels adapted well
to wearing masks and social distancing.
As educators, we couldn't be happier
to open our schools and welcome our students back in person.
We have some updates to share with you
related to reopening our schools this fall.
After careful consideration
and conversation with local health officials,
as well as our task force committees,
the Blue Springs School District will require
cloth face masks for all students and staff
for the 2020-2021 school year.
We feel strongly that masks will help
reduce the spread of COVID-19
and provide the safest possible environment
for our students and staff.
We've also taken careful consideration
to finalize our COVID-19 symptom guidelines and procedures.
If a student or staff member
is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms,
they will be asked not to return for 10 days,
including being 24 hours fever free,
or they may return before the 10 day window
with a negative test and 24 hours fever free.
At this time, if a student or staff member
tests positive for COVID-19,
the health department will be consulted
and those directly exposed, meaning within six feet
for more than 15 minutes,
will be asked to quarantine for 14 days.
And if on any one day, 5% of a total school building
population tests positive for COVID-19,
the individual school building
will be shut down for 10 days.
Early next week, we will release
a comprehensive reopening guide
as we return to learn for the 2020-2021 school year.
This guide will provide greater details
related to positive case protocols
and expectations for distance learning,
as well as additional safety measures.
As a parent of an elementary and middle school student,
I'm excited about the opportunity for my children
to safely return to in person school.
Enrollment residency verification
will take place virtually this year
with the ability to upload all documents electronically.
Tomorrow at 5:00 PM, enrollment opens for all students
returning to the district
and will remain open until Sunday, August 9th at 5:00 PM.
New student enrollment will open
on Monday, August 3rd at 10:00 AM.
During the enrollment process,
you will be asked once more to designate in-person school
or BSSD distance learning for your student.
If you have any questions,
please contact your school office.
Leading a school district in a pandemic
continues to have its challenges.
As we do everything we can
to maintain healthy and safe schools
while doing what we do best,
educating and caring for our students.
I have no doubt that information and details
will continue to change
between now and our first day of school,
but when, and if they do,
we will update you as soon as possible.
Thank you for your patience and partnership in education.
Together, we will get through this.
Take care.
