May 12, 2021
Dear Families,
With the year quickly coming to an end, I wanted to take a few minutes to update you on a variety of items regarding the various events and end-of-year activities. I realize that the information the District is giving could become quickly outdated based on this ever-changing environment we are working in. We will keep you informed should any of this information change.
* Please note: Student participation in these events does present some risk, and is voluntary. Although we are developing plans to keep students safe and plans to mitigate the potential quarantines if they become necessary, we cannot override the quarantine protocols set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH). If any student is exposed to a person who tests positive for Covid-19, they will be quarantined and will not be permitted to participate in any events for the duration of their quarantine. The District does not make determinations regarding quarantines, the DOH makes the decision and the District is legally obligated to follow the orders and for communicating with the families.
Prom
IASD is pleased to announce that IHS will hold Prom on May 28 for our senior students and their guests. Limiting this event to only the senior class was necessary to comply with the event/gathering limitations set forth by the state. The students, the class advisor, the administration, and the Health and Safety Subcommittee have worked relentlessly to make this event a possibility. The students worked with their class advisor and administration to build a health and safety plan that allows us to conduct this terrific event while keeping everyone safe. I am hopeful that this is a special night for our senior class and a step towards a return to normalcy. Please contact the high school if you have any questions.
Graduation
We are also pleased to announce that we will have in-person graduation held at the KCAC on June 4, 2021. We recognize the importance this event has for our families and our community and we are extremely excited to see all of you who are attending on this wonderful night! To ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and families, students will be provided a set number of tickets for the event as per current health and safety guidelines of the CDC and DOH for indoor capacity guidelines. We are pleased that students are able to participate in commencement activities during this pandemic and thank you for your understanding and continued support of IASD. Please contact the high school office if you have any questions.
Summer League Activities
My office has received inquiries regarding attendance at summer league recreation activities held on District property. We are pleased to announce that we will be permitting fans into our facilities to watch their child(ren) play. Currently, there is enough space to hold summer league games at our gyms. In fact, the subcommittee has already approved the plan for the Girls Summer league and is reviewing the boy’s basketball plan soon. I believe I speak for the entire committee by stating that we support all of these opportunities for students to participate in the activities they love. Organizers simply need to submit their plan for how they are going to conduct the activity safely, and if that plan is in adherence to the Board-approved Health and Safety Plan, it will be approved. The subcommittee is simply charged with ensuring that the H&S Plan is being followed.
PA COVID-19 Updates
Finally, Governor Wolf’s office released a statement indicating that his administration is planning to lift some Covid-19 safety restrictions on May 31, 2021, if the numbers across the state continue to trend in the right direction. The IASD has, and will obviously continue to comply with the state mandates and the recommendations from the DOH and the CDC regarding the safe operation of schools and related events. If and when these restrictions are lifted, our Health and Safety Plan will be adapted to mirror the changes made. Please note that the numbers in our county and community will still weigh heavily in those restrictions being lifted. We need to finish strong and do our best to maintain safe practices so we can continue to offer events and activities, and return to normalcy sooner rather than later. There might just be a light at the end of this tunnel, but it takes us all to get there!
In closing, thank you for your continued compassion and grace throughout this year. I know it has been difficult at times, but this long and arduous journey will end soon. We could not offer the opportunities listed above if it wasn’t for our families’ support and adherence to the rules that we are required to abide by throughout the year. Thank you to everyone for doing your part to allow us to keep our doors open for our students and to allow us to make these end-of-year experiences available to our students.
All the best,
Mr. Michael J. Vuckovich
Superintendent of Schools