Superintendent's Blog

Thanksgiving 2020 (thank you and stay safe)!

Dear SOCSD Families,

This is a quick reminder that all SOCSD schools will temporarily transition to fully-remote instruction next Monday (11/30) and Tuesday (12/1). All students and staff are to work from home (remotely) those two days; classes will continue virtually as scheduled.

This two-day pause for in-person instruction will allow District administrators to assess the impact of the COVID-19 transmission associated with Thanksgiving travel/gatherings. Although there is no evidence that schools are vectors for the spread of COVID-19 (SOCSD has a zero percent transmission rate), exposure to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 typically results in the quarantining of significant numbers of our students and staff. Pausing in-person instruction for these two days may prevent us from having to close for a much longer period due to the likelihood of a mass quarantine. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

During the days immediately following Thanksgiving, please monitor your health and be extra vigilant towards the identification and reporting of any health issues that you, or those nearest to you, may be experiencing. Each of us must be mindful of our decisions and how our decisions impact on those around us. We have had an impressive record of hybrid in-person instruction which has been the result of us working together as a team.

I recognize how stressful these past several months have been, but I see how strong you all are, and I am inspired by your grit and determination. The resulting benefit to our young learners is immeasurable. I also find great inspiration in knowing that people will begin to have access to a vaccine by the end of December. Knowing that there is some light at the end of this tunnel provides some hope and should renew our determination to beat COVID-19.

In the meantime, let’s support and take care of each other by making good choices. We have a long winter ahead of us, but I am confident that we will continue to thrive in the face of adversity as long as we behave safely and make healthy choices our first priority (frequent hand washing, safe social distancing, avoid unnecessary travel and staying home if you feel sick).

As we head into the Thanksgiving Recess, please know that I am deeply grateful to our  community for its continued support of our children and our schools.  Here’s wishing each of you a happy, safe and healthy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Dr. Pritchard

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