September 3, 2021
Hello Jersey Shore Community,
I have heard from many of you over the last week. I have made it my best effort to answer every email and phone call. I know that some of you are happy about this and some of you are not. We can argue about how we all feel about it, but I urge you to consider where you are placing your anger. The Board of Directors and I did not do this. This decision was not made locally. On Tuesday, our teachers want to do what they do best – educate your children. Regardless of your feelings, please respect our staff because this is not their fault.
Yesterday and this afternoon, I received additional guidance from the PA Department of Education. The district FAQ document has been updated on the Reopening Schools section of the website. I encourage you to also visit the PDE FAQ document – Answers to FAQs (pa.gov).
Here are a few highlights:
- Additional information has been released regarding the liability to both the Superintendent and the School Board for violating the mandate.
- Clarification on the medical exemption has been given by PDE – requiring us to continue to follow the established IDEA or 504 process that requires medical documentation.
- An update to how we will handle refusal – allowing students to stay in school but not expose others by moving them to another location.
- A clarification of the mask break approach for all district students.
- We have also received clarification that this mandate applies to any indoor space of any school building for any event.
Please remember that no one should enter our buildings if they are experiencing COVID symptoms.
Thank you,
Dr. Ulmer