A Letter from Dr. April Grace, Aug. 21, 2020
August 21, 2020
Dear Shawnee Families,
On a call yesterday, we were made aware of a significant increase in COVID-19 cases in Pottawatomie County. According to our county health authorities, this increase is mostly due to a large number of positive cases (104) at a nearby correctional facility, located within our county. This is considered an institutional spread, rather than a community spread.
Despite the increase in positive cases, our county health authorities do not believe that our community is at any greater risk from COVID-19 than it has been in recent weeks. At this time, we do not need to make any changes to our current school schedule and safety protocols. To help us keep our community’s number of positive cases low, we ask that our families continue helping our students make safe choices. Make sure you and your student(s) continue to follow CDC guidance by washing your hands frequently, keeping social distance of 6 feet when possible, and wearing a mask over your nose and mouth when you cannot social distance, as well as when in public, both indoors or outside.
As a reminder, besides our own safety protocols, the city of Shawnee does have a mandated mask ordinance in place. This ordinance does apply to all of our athletic facilities both indoor and outside. Masks must be worn at all times indoors and outside where social distancing cannot be kept. Our best opportunity to keep school open, as well as extracurricular activities in place, is to follow these guidelines with diligence.
As always, we will continue to work closely with our county and state officials to monitor the situation. We will notify you if any changes to our learning plan become necessary in the future. For now, stay safe and follow the above mentioned CDC guidance/Shawnee Public Schools safety protocols.
Sincerely,
Dr. April Grace
Superintendent