• REOPENING LETTER FOR 2021-22 FROM DR. RUNNER

    Dear MACS Family and Community,

    Welcome to school year 2021-2022! We have been busy this summer preparing the buildings and grounds and planning for instruction so that we are ready to embrace our scholars upon their return. As much as we wanted a more traditional start, we are still navigating some tricky waters of the pandemic. We will begin with some stricter safety protocols and look forward to relaxing them as we are safely able to do so based on the guidance we receive from the Department of Health and our Medical Director. We review our plans frequently and will make changes as needed.

    • Pre-K-12 students will attend in-person learning five (5) days per week with school hours listed below:
      • High School: 7:43-2:10
      • Middle School: 7:30-1:57
      • New Haven, Palermo, and Mexico Elementary Schools: 8:50-3:05
    • Masks are required for all individuals (staff and students) for all indoor activities and while on school buses regardless of vaccination status. Masks will be provided for those who need them. Frequent mask breaks will be provided throughout the day.
    • Masks are not required for any outdoor events.
    • Physical distancing will be maintained at six feet for certain activities, such as eating and drinking and Physical Education and Music classes, whenever possible.
    • Temperature checks will be completed before entry to our buildings and on to school buses.
    • No staff member or student should enter our buildings when having any symptom of COVID-19 (temperature of 100 degrees or higher, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea)
    • Quarantine and isolation orders come from the Department of Health. MACS assists with contact tracing by providing information about close contacts, duration of exposure, vaccination status, and mask-wearing.
    • Vaccinated individuals who have been in close contact with a COVID- positive individual are not required to quarantine, as long as they do not have symptoms. Individuals who have been exposed to COVID should monitor closely for symptoms.
    • Unvaccinated individuals who have been in close contact with a COVID- positive individual will be required to quarantine.
    • Breakfast and lunch will be offered at no charge to all students.

    I encourage you to reach out to your child’s teacher first this year if you have any questions or concerns, and then the Building Principal if you need further assistance. Check out the Let’s Talk tabs on the District website to share any comments, questions, or kudos with us!

    Would you please complete the transportation survey to ensure a smooth first week of student pick-up and drop-off, if you have not done so? I have provided a link to the survey below. 
     
     
    I appreciate your patience and flexibility as we partner to educate the children of this community. Contact me if you have any questions or if I can be of support to you. Enjoy the next few weeks and see you in September!

    Sincerely,
    Dr. Donna Runner
    Superintendent