Dear TFSD Parents, Students, Patrons, and Staff Members,
At the December 14 Twin Falls School Board meeting, the Board of Trustees voted to have students return to school in a modified Yellow protocol after Christmas break on January 04, 2021. The modified Yellow protocol will bring back all students (PK-12) for four days per week (Tuesday-Friday). Mondays will be distance learning days and will provide teachers with the time they need to provide high quality lessons to those students who are not able to be in the classroom due to illness or quarantine.
Recent guidance from the CDC recommends that schools across the country open for in-person learning as much as possible with mitigation strategies in place. The Board was provided with data related to COVID case counts in our school system, options for levels of operation, and pros and cons for all of the options available to them. They also received a recommendation from the TFSD administrative team, supported by both the South Central Public Health District and St. Luke’s, to return to four days of face-to-face instruction.
I am grateful for the board’s thoroughness in evaluating all available information in their decisions. This is a challenging decision not just because we want our schools to be successful, but also because there are a wide range of opinions and recommendations from stakeholder groups. The past few months have provided no relief in the complexity of these types of decisions for these elected volunteers. From the beginning of the pandemic, the TFSD has remained committed to following the guidance of the CDC, SCPHD, and St. Luke’s when making these decisions. In the coming days, weeks, and months we will continue to evaluate data and recommendations as we continue to modify and adjust our plan to best address student and community needs.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brady Dickinson
Superintendent of Schools