Good afternoon Jersey Shore Community,
I appreciate all of the people who have reached out about their opinions on masking – both for and against the order. Today, I am reaching out to be clear about the impact of masking in our buildings. Our staff and students have benefited from wearing masks. We have had COVID cases over the last few weeks, but unlike last year, when both people are wearing masks, the principals and I do not have to send exposed students and staff home. This has significantly reduced the amount of quarantines that cause disruption to teaching and learning in the past.
I have personally walked buildings to verify that students are getting mask breaks. I appreciate being told when it is not occurring as it should be. But I also want you to know that mask breaks are occurring and we have redirected when it is not occurring.
I do not like wearing masks and I understand that many family and parents do not. But, we have had success in mitigating the spread of covid and keeping our schools open by having staff and students wearing masks.
A good day at home learning online is not ever going to be the same as your children being in our building with our teachers. When I came to Jersey Shore, I heard from many people who wanted our schools open and did not want to return to online learning. Our priority is keeping our schools open, continuing learning and not having to return to a remote environment.
Please remember that PDE, DOH and the Governor’s Office promised to re-evaluate the mask mandate by October 1st. The Governor has scheduled a press conference for Thursday morning. If you do not want your child to wear a mask at school, please advocate to Harrisburg. At the current moment, no court has ruled that this is illegal, no legislation has been passed by our representatives to override it and PDE has clearly communicated that the Board of Directors and I are required to follow it.
Regardless of how you may personally feel about masking, today, tomorrow and every day after that, I am making a choice to spend my time educating children because that is why I am here.
Thank you,
Dr. Ulmer