Good evening, Hopewell families.
Last night, the Hopewell school board voted to implement some key changes in COVID protocols starting on Monday (March 14th). These changes were made due to recent rapid declines in COVID numbers (from all-time high case numbers in mid-January to our lowest case numbers now in mid-March) as well as recent updates in guidance from the CDC. The board also continues to note that the COVID risk is not zero and that there are some mitigation measures that do need to stay in place.
The following updated protocols will go into place after today for all K-12 students and staff (these changes do not apply to Woodlawn until the federal Head Start program makes changes in their requirements). We plan to use these updated protocols as long as our COVID transmission level is at a level of LOW or MEDIUM. (We are currently at MEDIUM). Here are the updated protocols going into effect for Monday:
- Masks are optional for staff
- Weekly testing of staff who are not vaccinated is still required
- Weekly testing of student athletes is no longer required except for high-risk sports (all spring sports are low or medium risk)
- Mixing of student groups is allowed so long as there is the option for masks
- Distancing is no longer required but is still recommended when practical
- Events with community members (e.g. promotion ceremonies) are allowed so long as there is the option for masks
- For visitors/volunteers working with students, proof of vaccination or recent testing is still required – masks are optional in these cases if at level of LOW
The CDC transmission rating for Hopewell is updated every Friday. We intend to continue with the above protocols unless we had two consecutive Fridays of a HIGH transmission level, at which point we would plan to revert to the previous protocols. If you wish to view the CDC rating directly, it is available here.
As for drive-thru testing, it will be available on Thursday from 5:00 to 5:30 at HHS.
Have a good evening.