May 21, 2021
Dear RRCSD Parents and Guardians:
The 2020-2021 school year has been a difficult and demanding year for everyone, and the entirety of our district deserves credit for working together to overcome the many challenges we have faced.
Every decision over the course of the past 15 months was made with the health and safety of students, staff and the community as the top priority. In order to provide such an environment, we have listened to the guidance of health professionals and followed the orders of health departments.
Last week, Governor DeWine announced that all COVID-19 health orders will expire effective June 2, 2021. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Governor DeWine recommend that schools do not change existing policies requiring the use of face masks for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.
With these recommendations in mind, the Rocky River City School District (RRCSD) will continue to implement Board Policy 8454 (Face Masks and Face Shields) through the end of the school year on June 11, 2021. We believe continuing with these protocols will provide consistency for our students at a time when stability benefits them. We all want to finish this school year strong and transition to next year with our heads held high knowing we did everything we could to keep our students, staff and community safe.
Beginning May 24, 2021, the district will allow face masks to be optional for all individuals during outdoor activities, including recess, physical education and other events. Per the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, it is still recommended that individuals follow social distancing protocols at outdoor events.
Effective June 12, 2021, RRCSD will suspend Board Policy 8454 and masks will be optional for all individuals. The district will continue with safety protocols in buildings, including air filtration, hand washing, cleaning and sanitizing.
As we look ahead to the 2021-2022 school year and the return to a more normal environment, Remote Learning Option B will no longer be available as an instructional option for RRCSD students. More information about 2021-2022 will be shared in the future as details are finalized.
Finally, the district will be sharing an end-of-year survey with parents/guardians to complete and provide feedback. The survey will be shared at the beginning of June.
Thank you to everyone for continuing to work together in providing a safe learning environment and modeling safe behaviors for our students.
Sincerely,
Michael Shoaf
Superintendent