Superintendent's Letter to Families and Staff 1-22-21

Superintendent's Letter to Families and Staff 1-22-21 - Spanish

Visit the Health Services page to read all prior communication.

State Superintendent's Memo 005-21: Interim Guidance for PreK-12 School Reopening (January 14, 2021) 

VA State Superintendent’s Memo #230-20 - Statutory and Regulatory Instructional Expectations for the 2020-2021 School Year

Returning to School During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Superintendent’s Amended Recommendation - July 28, 2020 

Virginia Department of Education's School Reopening Frequently Asked Questions

Division Childcare Provision for Upcoming School Year 7-28-20

Superintendent's Statement Regarding Racism

Order of the State Health Commissioner - June 8, 2020

Governor's Final Phase Guidance for Virginia Schools - July 7, 2020

State Superintendent Recover, Redesign, Restart 2020

Visit this link for a full list of VDOE School Reopening Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is new in the January guidance? 

The guidance includes many components of the previous guidance documents, including CDC recommendations for mitigation measures, use of the CDC Core Indicators for Decision Making, and state recommendations that certain students, including young learners, students with disabilities and English learners, be prioritized for in-person instruction. 

New components include the 5-step process for divisions to consider as they make decisions and the new decision matrix for consideration of multiple factors. 

2. Are schools required to open in person under the new guidance? 

No. School reopening decisions remain a local decision under this Guidance. The Interim guidance is intended to serve as a resource for local health and education decision makers. 

3. Are staff vaccinations a prerequisite for schools opening in person?

No. Teachers and school staff are considered part of Phase 1B and are eligible to receive a vaccine when their local health districts enter Phase 1B. The January 2021 Interim guidance does not require staff to be vaccinated before schools offer in-person instruction. 

4.  Are all school staff eligible for vaccines in Phase 1B?

Yes. Any staff employed by a school, including but not limited to teachers, administrative staff, bus drivers, school nutrition staff, and student teachers, are eligible for vaccines in the definition of essential workers in Phase 1B. However, vaccine supply remains limited and vaccine distribution policies vary by health district. Please reference local health department policy for applicable details. 

State Superintendent's Memo 005-21: Interim Guidance for PreK-12 School Reopening (January 14, 2021)

Read the Interim Guidance to K-12 School Reopening presentation

January 12, 2021 School Board Presentation - Second Semester Planning for Middle and High School

January 12, 2021 School Board Presentation - Elementary Focus Group

Stafford County Public Schools is currently accepting applications for the Head Start/Virginia Preschool Initiative and Early Head Start programs for the 2021-2022 school year.

The Head Start/Virginia Preschool program is open to children who

• are 3 or 4 years old by September 30, 2021;
• live in Stafford County;
• and meet the federal or state eligibility guidelines.

Families submitting an application for the first time should apply online at www.staffordschools.net/HS. Families who submitted previously and were either wait-listed or did not complete the application process must submit a new paper application for the 2021-2022 school year.

Space for each of these programs is limited. Families are encouraged to apply early. Families may request a paper copy application by calling (540) 368-2559.

On December 10, 2020, Governor Ralph Northam signed Executive Order 72 (EO 72) implementing additional restrictions throughout the Commonwealth to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 amidst a surge in cases. These measures go into effect on December 14, 2020 and are scheduled to expire on January 31, 2021. Executive Order 72 replaces the previously issued Executive Orders 67 and 63.

The new EO includes, but is not limited to, the following measures:

• A modified stay at home order, requiring individuals to stay at home from midnight to 5am, with some exceptions;
• Expanded mask-wearing mandates for individuals age five and older, both indoors and outdoors;
• Social gathering limitations of 10 people;
• Limitations of two guests per athlete may attend outdoor athletic competitions; and
• Restriction of indoor athletic competitions to 25 spectators other than coaches, officials and referees.

Application of Certain Restrictions in PreK-12 Schools

Masks:
EO 72 maintains the requirement that individuals age five and older must wear masks while indoors at public and private school settings unless they qualify for a health or safety exemption. This mandate also applies to all school board meeting attendees, including board members, staff and members of the public.

Under EO 72, individuals must wear a mask if they are in “an indoor setting shared with others” or if they are outdoors and cannot maintain six feet of distance from others. 

Social Gathering Limits:
EO 72 further reduces social gathering limits to 10 people. This limit does not apply to educational instruction, child care, individuals performing functions of their employment, or government functions, such as school board meetings.

Athletics:
EO 72 updates spectator limits for recreational sports. No more than 25 spectators “per field” (or court) may attend indoor athletic competitions. For sports played outdoors, spectators are limited to two guest per player. Spectators do not include coaches or officials, and spectators must wear face coverings at all times.

The Virginia Department of Education has posted updated FAQs on its website related to EO 72.

This document outlines the Student and Parent Expectations for Success in the Virtual Classroom.  Please refer to this document frequently, and remember to reach out to your teacher for support when needed.

All students and staff shall wear face coverings at all times on school board property as developmentally appropriate unless exempted due to a medical condition. The Centers for Disease Control provides exemptions for young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is unconscious or incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. 

When appropriate, face shields will be utilized by staff and/or students to meet student and staff needs. Employees who work in individual offices and areas may remove the face mask when they are alone.

Our school district needs your help! Everyone is responsible for an orderly and safe school environmenet. Information you provide can help. Call Stafford Crime Solvers at 540-658-2020.

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