Greetings, North Mahaska School Students and Families:
We received official word today from the Iowa Department of Public Health that guidance has changed regarding students who need to quarantine.
For schools, students identified as being in close contact (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) of COVID-19 confirmed cases will not need to be quarantined for 14 days if face coverings were worn by both people during the exposure. Students who are currently in the quarantine may return to school immediately if:
- They have not tested positive for COVID
- They are not in quarantine due to a positive COVID case within their household
- They are not exhibiting any symptoms
- Face coverings (Face Shields and neck gaiters are not acceptable face coverings) were worn by both parties during the exposure with the close contact
- Face Shields are not considered a sufficient face covering. Students wearing face shields only would be subject to quarantine if they are in close contact with a positive COVID case.
Students returning from quarantine should be vigilant and self-monitor as well as have parents monitor for illness daily. All students should continue to practice good handwashing, social distancing practices, and the use of the daily health assessment checklist on our district website. Please note we are not able to social distance entirely at lunch and therefore, may result in students still being quarantined. Students should put their masks back on when they are finished eating to reduce the amount of contact time.
Face coverings remain a requirement for North Mahaska School staff and students, and the expectation is that they are worn on all school buses, school buildings, and school facilities. The NMCSD will continue to follow the guidelines set by the Governor’s office, Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Department of Education, and Mahaska County Public Health.
We are excited to have healthy students back in school. We acknowledge the timing of this correspondence is late in the day due to the school not receiving official guidance until this afternoon. As a result, we want you to know, provided your child meets the criteria listed above, he or she may choose to return to school today and finish out the last couple of hours of school or they may wait until tomorrow to return. Either way, students in grades 7-12 may participate in after school activities as well as tonight’s homecoming activities. If you have any questions regarding the new guidance, please feel free to contact the school administration or school nurse at 641-637-4187.
Sincerely,
Angela Livezey, Elementary Principal / Superintendent
Amber Goemaat, Jr. / Sr. High Principal
