May 16, 2021
Dear CO-U families, and community:
I am writing you today to inform you that on May 14, 2021 the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) released information regarding masking and quarantining due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this information, IDPH stated that masking should be optional and contact tracing is now a thing of the past. They also stated that COVID-19 should be considered the same as any other childhood illness. If a child is diagnosed with COVID-19 they will be required to quarantine for 10 days, but close contacts will not have to.
This means that CO-U will no longer require masks in school, on school transportation, or at school events effective May 17, 2021. MVAO COU will be making an announcement later this week with what they are going to do moving forward. With this being said, if you feel that you need to wear a mask to protect yourself, then that is you and your family’s decision, and it will be respected.
This does not necessarily mean that COVID-19 is over, but the IDPH feels that we are in a better position with case counts, and now know more information about COVID-19. If you have any further question about how this affects the operation of school, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.
Respectfully yours in Education,
Adam Eggeling
Superintendent/Principal