Q: What can you share about the upcoming first day of school?
A: School starts on Aug. 16. We anticipate and look forward to a very normal school year with 100 percent in-person learning. It is imperative that you register your child for school immediately if you haven’t done so already so that we have enough teachers hired. Visit your zoned school or the school district website (www.stjohns.k12.fl.us) to register and for all the information you need.
Q: What are the health and safety protocols for the 2021 – 2022 school year [as of interview date of July 16]?
A: The school board adopted Superintendent Tim Forson’s recommendations at our meeting on July 13. Some highlights include: masks are no longer required, but are optional. We have removed the desk shields and eliminated the temperature checks. We will try to socially distance as we can and use common sense; for instance, we will keep desks three feet apart if possible. We will continue with the enhanced sanitization practices and continue to encourage frequent hand washing.
A further word on our decision on the mask policy: CDC recommendations are just that — recommendations. Our low cases lead us to believe that we are in good stead to not require masks. Families should note that masks are optional and students can wear them if that is their preference.
Q: What happens if a child contracts COVID?
A: If a student contracts COVID, that child will have to quarantine and we will do contact tracing. This will be coordinated through the county health department, which will be responsible for making the determination to release the student to return to school.
Q: How will extracurricular activities work?
A: Our clubs and athletics will all meet. At the beginning of the school year, we will allow a maximum capacity of 75 percent at games, but the school board has given Superintendent Forson the authority to adjust as conditions warrant. We’re going back to normal as much as possible; we will have field trips, plays, and other performances.
Q: Will volunteers be allowed in schools?
A: Yes. Volunteers will be allowed to come back to classrooms and we are looking forward to this. At the beginning of the school year, though, we ask that parents don’t just come to the school to eat with their child, in an effort to curb crowding in the cafeteria.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at beverly.slough@stjohns.k12.fl.us or call me at (904) 547-7510.
[Editor’s note: Be sure to check the St. Johns County School District’s prevailing safety protocols and standards as of the first day of school, due to the fluidity of the COVID situation. Visit www.stjohns.k12.fl.us for more information.]
