November 20, 2020
Hello Mesa Public Schools community,
Community metrics for COVID-19 continue to move in the wrong direction. I am deeply concerned that we will not be able to keep our schools open if this trend continues. The education of our children must be a top priority in our community.
On Nov. 19, Dr. Cara Christ, director of Arizona Department of Health Services, issued an
emergency measure to slow the spread of COVID-19 in schools. The measure, which was effective immediately, requires masks on school campuses, on school buses, during school-associated activities and while participating in or observing and school-associated athletic activities, by all students, faculty, staff, contractors and visitors. Exceptions are allowed if:
- Students are outside and physically distanced or taking a mask break in a safe environment.
- Students are engaged in high intensity activities and the mask causes difficulty breathing.
- A child is under the age of two or the individual has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or unable to remove a mask without assistance.
All district schools and departments must be in full compliance.
We closely monitor the COVID-19 metrics across the district and in each school community, and
post the data weekly on a dashboard. As of today, we have taken action at two schools based on this data. Mesa High School is using a two-day modified in-person learning model and Sousa Elementary is using a fully remote learning model. Each decision was based on the unique circumstances at that school. In addition to the number of cases, factors that were taken into account include:
- Are the cases related to a particular program or classroom?
- Do we see any trends in the positive cases?
- Have additional mitigation strategies been implemented? Were they successful?
- Guidance from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health
- The number of students quarantined
- Absenteeism of students and staff
- The impact on student learning
Remember Monday, November 30, will be an asynchronous, or self-guided, remote learning day for all students and a remote work day to the extent possible for employees. On that day, students will remain home and complete assignments provided by their teachers in Canvas. Teachers will spend the day in professional learning, collaborating with their team and planning lessons for the remainder of the semester. They will not be providing direct instruction. Other employees will work their regular job assignment, receive professional development and support student needs.
Here are some additional details about Nov. 30:
- Attendance will be recorded based on student activity in Canvas.
- All in-person extracurricular activities are canceled unless the team is in a state-level tournament.
- Meals will be available for pick up at district junior high and high schools. Students do not need to be present. Please see the schedule.
- On-site centers will be available at every school for students needing a safe place to complete their remote learning. You received registration information from your school. Transportation will not be provided.
- Xplore will be open before and after school hours on Xplore campuses for students who are registered.
- EVIT students will be remote or may provide their own transportation to the EVIT campus.
Please follow the recommendations of health experts and CDC when planning your Thanksgiving. It is important families do not support social gatherings that circumvent cancellation of winter formals and other school-sponsored events due to the pandemic. If you are exposed to COVID-19 or develop symptoms,
please get tested. If you haven’t done so,
consider getting a flu shot. Employees, if you don’t feel well, stay home. Parents, if your child doesn't feel well, keep them home. Wear a mask, physical distance to the extent possible and wash your hands frequently.
We need your help to remain Safe.Strong.
Ready.
Sincerely,
Dr. Andi Fourlis
Superintendent
