An Open Letter on the Coming Holiday Seasons

An Open Letter on the Coming Holiday Seasons:

As we head into the holiday season with Thanksgiving break just a week away, the Mitchell Board of Education and the administration of our district schools ask that each family take the time to consider limiting large group gatherings. Our main priority at this time is to help reduce the number of active positive cases within our community to allow for students to continue in-person learning.

We understand that gathering as a family is a major part of the holiday season, but we also know that large gatherings can lead to an increase in positive active cases of Covid-19. Limiting these gatherings is one way we, as a community, can help support the schools and allow us to provide in-person instruction.

As you continue to make plans for the holiday season, please take time to look through the most current information and recommendations from the CDC regarding holidays and gatherings.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

A few highlights:

• Limit the number of attendees as much as possible to allow people from different households to remain at least 6 feet apart at all times. Guests should avoid direct contact, including handshakes and hugs, with others not from their household.

• Avoid holding gatherings in crowded, poorly ventilated spaces with persons who are not in your household.

• Require guests to wear masks. At gatherings that include persons of different households, everyone should always wear a mask that covers both the mouth and nose, except when eating or drinking. It is also important to stay at least 6 feet away from people who are not in your household at all times.

• Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items such as serving utensils.

Thank you for considering these recommendations.  May you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving and may every student be well and able to return to school on November 30.