JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The following is a release from the Jamestown Public School District:
As part of the Jamestown School District’s Health and Safety Plan, an Instructional Plan Review team of stakeholders was established to analyze data and trends in the community and school and to make instructional plan decisions.
The team was encouraged by Stutsman County’s return to a low risk designation, the staff’s diligence towards practicing mitigation strategies across the K-12 setting, the limited number of staff and students who have been positive (approximately 1% since August), and the fact that no staff or student who was exposed in school became positive in quarantine.
The team also reviewed results from a statewide survey of 150 school districts that showed a transmission rate of around 1%, which includes schools that are both more and less restrictive than Jamestown Public Schools.
The concern over quarantining large numbers of close contacts was a significant factor in the initial decision to begin the year in Instructional Plan 2. A recent change in the North Dakota Department of Health procedures allows for an exemption to quarantine for a close contact when both parties are properly masked. The impact of this change needed to be considered in the school setting.
The statewide data, our own district data, the NDDoH change which will allow for more staff and students to stay in school when properly masked, and our staff’s commitment to mitigation strategies, was compelling.
Our team has determined that we are ready, as a district, to move forward with implementing instructional plan 1 on a staggered basis. Because it takes time for our schools and staff to transition back, the Jamestown Middle School will begin full face-to-face instruction on October 26 and the Jamestown High School will move to full face-to-face instruction on November 16.
Because of the NDDoH change for close contacts, this is contingent upon the commitment to wearing masks. As such, masks will be required on school grounds and for spectators at events when physical distancing is not possible.
In his press conference Governor Burgum celebrated Stutsman County as one of the counties moving in the right direction. For JPS to successfully transition to full face-to-face instruction, we need the continued support of our community to practice all of those strategies we have demonstrated are effective.
We value the varied perspectives on this issue and appreciate the grace and flexibility we have been provided by families, students, and staff as these decisions are made. Let’s continue to work together to educate our students and keep our community safe.