In the midst of the pandemic, rules and regulations are constantly changing. This has caused confusion for students, staff and parents alike. Principal Tracy Wilson answers questions regarding the new guidelines.

Q: WHAT WAS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN CREATING COVID-19 REGULATIONS? 

A: Honestly, I think that we were really hopeful that we were going to start the new school year as normal as we could. We decided as a district to keep in place most of the protocols that we knew were working well and people were settled in with. I think living most of the summer without masks on, people got more comfortable with personal hygiene. My hope is people are washing their hands and if they’re not feeling well, they’re not going out in public. Hopefully this puts a magnifying glass on some of those things for people. 

Q: WHAT GUIDELINES CHANGED?

A: One example of a guideline that changed is that it’s not mandated that every table and chair be wiped down after each use. We have the supplies available and students can do that if they feel necessary. The deeper sanitizing and cleaning is still happening each evening.

Q: WHAT IS THE MASK POLICY?

A: The CDC and Michigan’s Health Department recommend and strongly encourage that anytime you’re in a communal environment indoors masks would be recommended. Our school board, to make it consistent K-12, said masks are required while we are in the school day. I think their thinking was that during the school day we are required to be in school. The state of Michigan requires students to be in school. Whether you’re in person or you’re cyber, you’re required to attend school. So, because it’s a requirement, that’s where masks are mandatory.

Q: IS IT GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW MASK REQUIREMENTS? 

A: With all honesty and sincerity, I thought that it would be harder at our level if the rule wasn’t coming from the health department because a certain percentage of our students have chosen to be vaccinated. I am very pleasantly surprised and proud of our students for doing what has to be done in order to be in person learning. It really hasn’t been the fight that I think a lot of people expected. I mean I think people have their opinions, and I don’t know that everybody’s happy wearing a mask, but I also think that people are more happy being here learning with a teacher in front of them than trying to figure it out at home. This is just one of the rules that we don’t have to like but we have to live with and if you want to not follow the rule then you have to be willing to accept the consequences as well.

Q: IF YOU’RE PARTICIPATING IN AN AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY, WHEN IS IT ACCEPTABLE TO REMOVE YOUR MASK?

A: All of the activities that are taking place after school are not required, they’re voluntary. As a voluntary opportunity, if you choose to participate then the masking becomes optional. You can wear a mask when you’re at football practice, or volleyball practice, or onstage for the theater, but it’s not required. It’s optional because it’s voluntary and if you’re not comfortable you either choose not to participate or you choose to mask.

Q: WHAT IS THE CONTACT TRACING POLICY? 

A: The actual contact tracing is no different than when we started. It is the one thing that stayed consistent through COVID. If somebody tests positive for COVID then we have to determine anybody that’s considered to be in close contact, whether it’s in a classroom or the cafeteria. The difference is, when we first started with COVID all of the close contacts were required to quarantine. Now, it’s recommended, but it’s not required. You get to make the choice. It’s just like after hours with the masks, it’s optional. Quarantining is optional now unless somebody in your home tests positive. If you’re vaccinated, then you’re not required to quarantine. But, if you’re not vaccinated and somebody in your home is positive, then you are required.

Q: IF YOU ARE QUARANTINED, ARE TEACHERS REQUIRED TO OPEN A GOOGLE MEET OR IS IT THE STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP UP?

A: Teachers are not required to open up a Google Meet. I think most will. They are required to provide you the opportunity through Google Classroom to do any of the work that the class is doing. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up. I believe that most of our teachers have just become very comfortable with Google Meet and will open one, especially if a student asks. 

Q: HOW WILL COVID-19 AFFECT SCHOOL ACTIVITIES LIKE DANCES?

A: Unfortunately we are kind of playing things by ear as we go and plans will change. We have to remain fluid. As long as we are indoors right now for a dance, we will be requiring masks because it is a large communal gathering, and kids are close together.

Q: WHAT IS THE BEST PLACE TO LOOK FOR UPDATED COVID-19 INFORMATION REGARDING THE HIGH SCHOOL? 

A: The best place to go would be to an E-blast that I send out, the daily announcement slides or what I put on the Announcements. If things change that’s pretty much where I’m going to be putting stuff to get it to parents and kids.

Q: IF PEOPLE ARE FEELING UNSAFE AT SCHOOL WHO CAN THEY TALK TO TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS?

A: They can certainly go to any trusted adult. One of the administrators would be the best only because we’re the ones that are dealing with COVID more and we have the ability to talk and communicate with the central office who’s in direct line with the Health Department.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST HOPE FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR?

A: My biggest hope is that we learn to find all kinds of ways to live within the virus. I don’t believe the virus is going to just go away overnight. I don’t believe that it’s going to be containable. I believe that we all have to put our own health first. I believe that we’re going to be living with, and among COVID for a good long time, especially when you hear about different variants that are coming our way. I think that we all have our personal responsibility to take care of our own health and to be mindful of those around us. I know that that’s where people are kind of selfish right now and they’re tired of worrying about everybody else. I think we do need to remember that just because the neighbor at your table in the classroom is pretty darn healthy, you don’t know what they might be at risk of taking home. It’s hard for us to think outside of ourselves when we talk about COVID, but I do think that every family’s circumstances are different and we have to be willing to listen, be patient and give one another grace. We also have to understand that we all have an opinion on everything. It doesn’t mean your opinions are wrong and mine are right or vice versa, but we have to learn how to coexist.