November 2020 Letter from AOS93 Superintendent Craig Jurgensen

Dear Parents, Families and Staff,

Our return to school this fall was anything but routine. But, with the significant planning and care that consumed our spring and summer months and the commitment of students and staff to keep one another safe and healthy, all AOS93 schools successfully returned to on-site instruction. The prevention and mitigation strategies we have implemented such as social distancing, consistent use of cloth face masks, and ongoing cleaning and sanitizing protocols have changed our daily routines. As a result, we have been able to safely engage in a robust and nearly normal school experience.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday recess and upcoming celebrations such as Hanakkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and the New Year, it is essential that we all continue to follow recommended strategies and actions that keep us and others healthy, particularly with regard to travel and in-person celebrations. 

Health experts including our AOS nurses remind us that it's important to consider a number of factors regarding travel:

• If you and your family are traveling out of Maine for the holidays, please be aware that if you travel to a non-exempt state, you are required to either quarantine for 14 days or get a negative PCR test before returning to school. At this time, travel to Vermont and New Hampshire are exempt from travel restrictions. Exemptions for Connecticut and New York ended on November 4 and the Massachusetts excemption ended November 16. Rhode Island is non-exempt.
• If you plan to host guests from out of state, be aware of whether they will be traveling from an exempt state with a low prevalence of disease or a non-exempt state.
• Stay up to date with travel requirements and exemptions for you and your guests by checking the Maine travel link
• Experts say flying is fairly safe right now because most airports are taking precautions--but it's still a confined space. If your guests are driving a long distance, they might have to stay at a hotel, which experts say can be risky. 
• Be mindful of the health conditions of family members and loved ones. Pre-existing conditions like heart or lung disease, cancer, and obesity can all lead to greater risk. 

If your family decides to have an in-person get together, Dr. Jarvis and Dr. Nirav Shah, Director of the Maine CDC, say you should take precautions by using good hygiene and face covering and by practicing social distancing, even inside the home. You should also try to have some separation for at least the first three days of being together to watch out for symptoms of COVID-19--and you should have a plan for what to do if someone becomes sick. Click here for CDC Holiday Guidance to inform you of the best practices for safely enjoying upcoming holidays. 

And, as always, please remember to:

1. Get your flu shot--it is not too late!
2. Stay 6 feet apart
3. Wear a face covering
4. Avoid large gatherings
5. Wash your hands often
6. Stay home if you are sick

The more careful we are with health and safety recommendations, the more likely our schools are to stay open. Thank you for your continued support of the AOS93 community.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and safe holiday season.

Craig Jurgensen
Superintendent