Families,

I hope this update finds you well. I’m happy to share that our parish and our state are moving in the right direction. Our COVID numbers are declining, and our schools are thriving.

Earlier today, the Governor lifted the statewide mask mandate for all indoor spaces except K-12 schools. He is allowing school systems to opt out of the mask mandate as long as they follow the CDC quarantine guidelines. 

Effective Wednesday, October 27, 2021, facial coverings will be optional for students and staff in St. Bernard Parish Public Schools. Facial coverings are strongly encouraged and strongly recommended but will not be mandated. 

Masks will still be required on school buses per Presidential Executive Order No. 13998. 

Our Return to School Guidance has been updated to reflect these changes. 

The health and well-being of our students and staff remain our number one priority. At this time, the vast majority of our staff have been vaccinated, and students 12 years and older are now eligible to receive the vaccine. We encourage you to speak with your doctor and healthcare providers if you have any questions or concerns regarding the vaccine. 

We will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with local health officials, the Louisiana Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make any necessary adjustments to our guidance as the situation evolves. If we experience an increase in COVID cases within our schools, we will consider reinstating the mask mandate. 

And speaking of necessary adjustments, due to school closures from the impacts of Hurricane Ida, as a reminder, Monday, November 1 and Tuesday, November 2 are now instructional days for students and staff.

I know the first nine weeks of this school year have been challenging, but with the storm season behind us and COVID numbers waning, we are hopeful that the remainder of this school year will continue with the sense of normalcy that we have all been looking forward to for so long.

Thank you for your continued support of our school family.

Sincerely,

Doris Voitier

Superintendent of St. Bernard Parish Public Schools