ROCK SPRINGS — Sweetwater School District No. 1 had the following positive cases in the District since Monday, December 7, 2020 through Friday, December 11, 2020: 

• Westridge Elementary: 1 staff member and 1 student
• Head Start: 1 staff member and 1 student
• Northpark Elementary: 1 staff member
• Transportation: 1 staff member
• Overland Elementary: 1 staff member and 3 students
• Eastside Elementary: 1 staff member and 2 students
• Desert View Elementary: 1 student
• Rock Springs High School: 5 students
• Stagecoach Elementary: 1 student
• Rock Springs Junior High: 1 student
• Pilot Butte Elementary: 3 students
• Sage Elementary: 1 student

Currently SCSD No. 1 has 30 total staff members throughout the District who are out for various COVID related reasons from this past week. This includes staff getting quarantined, having to stay home due to daycares shutting down, currently being tested, or testing positive. This has continued to decrease over the past three weeks.

Sweetwater School District Number One Nurses continue to work closely with Public Health and are the designee in sending out quarantine papers and information to District staff and students who are considered close contacts.  A close contact can occur due to a student or staff member not wearing a mask properly (both students and staff have to be wearing a mask properly), a situation where a shield had to be used, or no mask worn at all (such as students leaving for lunch at the High School level or while participating in a sporting event) when within 6 feet of another individual for a cumulative time of 15 minutes over a 24 hour period. The District monitors and corrects individuals not wearing masks properly as that can cause others to be quarantined. 

SCSD No. 1 Superintendent Kelly McGovern and Human Resources Director Nicole Bolton issued the following message Friday afternoon:

“We want to remind everyone that it is not optional to go without a mask or not wear a mask correctly.  It is not fair to students and fellow staff to be quarantined due to individuals not following the procedures and rules.  We have some students going on a third quarantine due to staff not wearing a mask appropriately.  These are unnecessary quarantines and affect people and families negatively.  

“The same courtesy goes for all staff. It is not okay for students to go without a mask or not wear a mask correctly and put you at undue risk.  It is not fair for any of you to be quarantined due to the students not following the procedures and rules.  Please continue to hold all students accountable to wearing their masks appropriately.  We need to be united and have consistent follow through for all students with our policies, procedures, and rules.  Please hold students accountable to wear their mask and wear it properly.

“We ask that everyone please continue to practice preventative measures such as good handwashing, practicing social distancing, when social distancing can not occur, wear a mask, and avoid large gatherings. This continued effort has assisted in the decrease of those affected. 

“We know these are trying times for everyone in every position.  Thank you for your continued efforts, perseverance, and everything you continue to do.  Each time we go out to the schools we are bombarded with staff letting us know to do whatever it takes to keep schools open and keep instruction with the kids in-person.  We will continue to do everything we can to support you and keep this going for you, the students, and families. We know any day we have to take the District on-line has a negative impact and domino effect.

“We only have one more full week and then you have Monday the 21st to bring closure with the students and have celebrations before we go on break.  We have heard a lot of excitement from students about that last day!  There are many K-12 kids that are not excited and wish school could keep going over the break. You are their role models, their consistent adult, and their security.  Thank you for being that advocate, having those positive relationships, and being a safe place for all students.  Everything you do matters and is noticed. Please enjoy your weekend.”