Marseilles Elementary will wait for more info before setting COVID-19 guidelines

Superintendent says focus will be on ‘student learning and engagement, as well as, safety’

A generic photo of schoolbooks and an apple.

Marseilles Elementary School is examining, analyzing and evaluating “the everchanging guidance” regarding strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when the school year resumes, said its superintendent.

The school year is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Aug. 18.

“We expect to continue to receive updated guidance and clarity in the coming weeks,” said Marseilles Elementary Superintendent Branda Donahue. “In order to finalize our reopening plan, we will continue to watch and monitor our current local conditions as we plan for school opening.”

Donahue said the district acknowledges the conflicting community views, but said the school district will be thoughtful in its planning with “a focus on student learning and engagement, as well as, safety.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed course Tuesday on some masking guidelines, recommending even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging.

Citing new information about the ability of the delta variant to spread among vaccinated people, the CDC also recommended indoor masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.