September 29, 2021

Dear RCS Families and Staff,

The RCS Board of Trustees has voted to extend the face covering/mask requirement through October 22^nd. The decision was based on a recommendation from the Rush County Health Department and Rush County's current status of high community spread. It is believed that progress is being made and this will get us through the current surge. Hopefully after Fall Break we can make an adjustment. The primary goal remains to keep students and staff healthy, in school on a daily basis, and minimize absenteeism due to contact tracing.

I appreciate the cooperation from our students, families, and staff.

 Dear RCS Families and Staff,

Last evening the RCS Board of Trustees approved an adjustment to our Opening of School Plan. The change involves a requirement for face coverings/masks to be worn inside of our facilities effective Thursday September 9^th. This is a result of several factors which include:

• Last Week Governor Holcomb issued an Executive Order stating that all schools must follow the Control Measure in place from the Indiana Department of Health. This left us with the choice of either quarantining all unvaccinated close contacts or requiring face coverings/masks. Up to this point our number of students who were deemed in close contact is over 600. Our goal is to keep kids in school and students/staff from being quarantined. Those who are identified as close contact in a classroom and are not showing symptoms will not be required to quarantine. Close contacts will still be identified and parents will be notified. This Order is currently in effect until September 30^th. The federal mandate for face coverings/masks to be worn on school buses is in effect currently until January.
• Our number of positive students increased significantly in the last week, as well as our number of positives in Rush County. Area hospitals are starting to see an increase in activity as well with positive patients.
• We work closely with the Rush County Health Department on our procedures, and the recommendation has been made for us to implement a face covering/masking requirement.

Face coverings/masks will be a requirement at RCS until September 30^th. This could change if the Governor's Order is extended or our local situation makes us feel it is necessary. We are trying to keep our students and staff safe and healthy while keeping schools open and as normal as possible. We are attempting to avoid a closure/virtual setting. I understand this may not be a popular decision for some. Your continued cooperation and patience is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Dr. Matt Vance, Superintendent
Rush County Schools 

 The Lion's Snack Shack Food Pantry is available to Rush County Schools' students and their families. The Lion's Snack Shack is open the 3rd Thursday of each month from 4PM to 6PM. It is located at RCHS in Room 169, which is accessible through the parking area located off Sexton Street and across from the Community Building. If a family needs help between pantry date, please contact Nanette Scanlan at RCHS at (765)-932-3901.