Communications

September 17, 2021 - Update #3 - Subject: COVID-19 Update: Face Covering Requirement for HSSD Grades K-6

Dear HSSD Families and Staff,

Due to increasing positive COVID-19 cases among elementary students as well as significant increases in the number of students in quarantine at those grade levels, all Howard-Suamico School District students and staff in grades K-6 will be required to wear face coverings at school beginning Monday, September 20. This temporary requirement will remain in place for the remainder of the first quarter, until Thursday, November 4.

At this time, a face covering requirement rather than recommendation at our K-6 schools better supports our goal of keeping students learning in-person at school. 

This decision is based on the following factors, presented to the Board of Education and monitored daily by district administration: 

• HSSD COVID-19 case trends: As of today, September 17, 2021, HSSD has 33 students reporting positive COVID-19 test results and 457 students in quarantine due to close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual at school. Last year at this time there were 19 positive cases reported and 75 students in quarantine.
   
• Classroom closures: As of today, September 17, 2021 six HSSD classrooms have been closed due to COVID-19 exposure at school with students and staff shifting to temporary virtual learning. That equals the total for the entire month of September last year.
   
• New CDC quarantine guidance: Updated CDC quarantine guidance allows for less strict contact tracing when exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual happens in a fully-masked environment at school. A fully-masked environment will allow HSSD to quarantine far fewer students, and keep more students learning in school in-person if an individual at school tests positive for COVID-19.
   
• A COVID-19 vaccine is not yet approved for children ages 5-11.

Face coverings will be provided for students as needed and a request form for face covering exemptions based on medical needs can be initiated at this link.

Reminder: HSSD COVID-19 Hotline

The district COVID-19 Hotline (920-662-7233) received more than 500 calls since the start of the school year. The hotline is monitored seven days a week. Please continue to use this helpful resource to ask questions on behalf of your students and family and to report any COVID-19 test results.

District administration monitors HSSD and local COVID-19 data daily to inform decisions. Thank you in advance for your understanding, support, and attention to the above details.

Together,
 

Damian LaCroix, Superintendent
Howard-Suamico School District
920-662-8103
damilacr@hssdschools.org

Communications Archive

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HSSD News Regarding COVID-19 and the Plan to Reopen HSSD Schools

Media Coverage Regarding the Plan to Reopen HSSD Schools

• August 5, 2020: Press Conference - Brown County leaders, officials ask community to do their part to help schools reopen (WFRV)
• August 5, 2020: Press Conference - Brown County school reopening: Educators, health professionals ask for community's help (Green Bay Press Gazette)
• August 5, 2020: Press Conference - Community support urged for reopening schools (The Press Times)
• August 5, 2020: Press Conference - Schools, businesses call on community to get involved as school year approaches (WBAY)
• August 5, 2020: Press Conference - Back-to-school news conference with Brown Co. community leaders (NBC26)
• August 5, 2020: Press Conference - Brown County Hopes to Mitigate Risks that come with Opening Schools During the Pandemic (Spectrum News 1)
• July 31, 2020: Howard-Suamico School District releases reopening plan (WFRV)
• July 31, 2020: What will Brown County schools look like in fall? Green Bay schools will start virtual, other districts to open with hybrid learning (Green Bay Press Gazette)
• July 31, 2020: Howard-Suamico School District updates reopening plan (NBC26)
• July 24, 2020: Howard Suamico School District release another draft of reopening plans (NBC26)
• July 21, 2020: What will Brown County schools look like next fall? Howard-Suamico releases first draft of plan, other districts still mulling options (Green Bay Press Gazette)
• July 20, 2020: School districts across the region preparing for safe back-to-school (WBAY)
• July 15, 2020: Howard-Suamico School District announces initial plan to resume classes (WFRV)
• July 15, 2020: Howard-Suamico announces first draft of reopening plan (The Press Times)
• July 15, 2020: Schools prepare to open for class (NBC26)
• July 10, 2020: Howard-Suamico releases first draft of reopening plan (WBAY)
• July 1, 2020: Local districts working together with Education Forward Plan (The Press Times)
• June 8, 2020: Howard-Suamico School District working on plan to bring students back (NBC26)
• March 16, 2020: Local school districts offer free meals to kids (WBAY)