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February 28, 2022

Dear BSD Families,
 
Earlier today, the Governor's Office announced that the mask mandate for K-12 public and private schools set to expire at the end of March has been accelerated and will now expire at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1. The date change is based on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised masking guidance released last Friday and the significant decline in Delaware's COVID-related statistics.
The Brandywine School District has and will continue to rely on the guidance provided by the CDC, the Delaware Division of Public Health, and the Delaware Department of Education as trusted partners in determining the next steps for students, staff, families, and our community. Based on current guidance and New Castle County's current COVID-related conditions as determined by the CDC, BSD will move to a "mask optional" allowance beginning at 6:01 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, March 1. Students, staff, and visitors that wish to continue to wear a mask are permitted and encouraged to do so.
 
PLEASE NOTE:  The CDC's guidance for masking in K-12 schools depends on community conditions. Currently, New Castle County is rated as "Low" by the CDC, a rating that supports our move to optional masking. However, a return to mandatory masks for our schools and buses is possible should NCC receive a "High" rating by the CDC. Additionally, individuals may be required to temporarily wear masks as conditions for return from isolation or quarantine. 
 
Over the next day or two, we will refine our isolation and quarantine protocols based on optional masking. At this time, we do not foresee any changes to the other mitigation strategies currently in place.
 
Finally, due to the significant decline in COVID cases and positivity rates, this will be the last week that teachers openly post Zoom links for students to audit classes. As previously communicated to families, the open posting of Zoom links was a temporary measure due to the Omicron surge we experienced in January. Next Monday, March 7, schools will return to publishing Zoom links for only those students subject to COVID isolation or quarantine as done previously this school year.
 
Respectfully,
 
Lincoln Hohler
Superintendent

Please Note:  The content detailed in this plan is based on the information known to the District as of the date of its publication and is intended to supersede any conflicting District rules, protocols, or guidelines during the time of its application.  Changes will most likely need to be made periodically given the fluid nature of COVID-19 spread, as well as evolving medical research, improved data sets, changes made to local, state, and national orders and regulations, and other factors.  To continue to meet the needs of students and our community, this plan will be reviewed and adjusted, as necessary.  A running list of all changes will be cited on the Revisions page.  Stakeholders will be notified by email and/or phone message of substantive revisions, additions, and deletions.