June 9, 2021

Dear KPBSD Staff, Families, and Community Partners,

I hope your summer is off to a wonderful start and that you have been able to enjoy the warm sunny days we have recently experienced!

At the beginning of the past school year, the District mandated face coverings to keep our staff, students, and community safe. However, it is now time to change our guidance regarding face coverings in our district. Beginning on June 14, 2021, our guidance regarding face coverings for students and staff participating in our Summer Learning and Extended School Year (ESY) programs will change and align with updated CDC guidelines and our current school and community risk levels.

Several factors influence this guidance. First, the Centers for Disease Control is recommending that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks indoors, except in hospitals, on public transit, and in other specified places. Secondly, positive COVID-19 case rates have declined significantly with the successful introduction of several vaccines and the ongoing campaign to vaccinate community members ages 12 and older. The summer is the perfect time to make this change as there are fewer students in our buildings and the temperatures allow our staff to increase outdoor instruction and activity time. As we move through the summer we will continue to monitor local transmission levels and keep track of State and CDC recommendations related to mitigation plans in our schools.   

Updated KPBSD guidance for school operations, beginning June 14, 2021:

• Face coverings for district staff will follow CDC guidance; the district strongly advises non-vaccinated staff to wear a face covering (self-determined)
• Face coverings for all students is optional (informed by parental preference). Face coverings for fully vaccinated visitors is optional; non-vaccinated individuals are strongly advised to wear a face covering
• Physical distancing of 3’ or more will be encouraged while working with others indoors
• The Symptom Free Schools Protocol will continue, so anyone who does not feel well, is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, or has recently been exposed to someone who is positive for COVID-19, needs to remain at home

I thank our staff, parents, students, and community for all that you have done this year to keep our community and schools safe. I look forward to our future work together.

Have a wonderful and safe summer!

Thank you,

Clayton Holland, Acting Superintendent, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Every Child Has a Right to be Safe, Seen, and Celebrated!

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