School district looking at impacts to activities with return to Stage 2

by Dr. Michael C. Garrett, Superintendent Joint School District #171

As many of you know the Governor put the entire state back into Phase 2 Friday. This means that gatherings of 10 or more are prohibited and those gatherings of 10 or less have to be distanced and/or masked.

Schools are exempt from this order in the educational setting only. Activities, however, will be impacted by the order. We are currently evaluating the order with IHSAA (Idaho High School Activities Association) on what we as a district are allowed to do. We are of the understanding that we will have answers Monday.

As for face coverings. I am asking that all students, staff and visitors wear face coverings on district property where distancing cannot be maintained. This will take effect Monday, Nov. 16, 2020. We are seeing that face coverings are working to keep the number of quarantines and cases reduced in the schools that are utilizing them. We are also seeing a rise in quarantines and cases at Timberline where only staff members are wearing them. Nobody wants to wear masks during the day but it has proven effective to keep students and staff in school.

Please stay tuned for updates on how the Governor's orders and the pandemic are impacting our schools and communities.

Thank you all for your assistance and understanding in helping keep our schools open.