The following communication was shared with SCM families on September 1, 2021:

Dear SCM Families,

Per Governor Holcomb’s Executive Order issued today, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) has updated their guidance to allow schools and daycares to modify quarantine provisions if they adhere to the following order:

Schools and daycares that have mask requirements that are consistently followed throughout the day do not have to quarantine students, teachers and staff who are close contacts and aren’t showing symptoms of COVID-19.

The revised guidance eliminates the requirement of a close contact to quarantine IF the person testing positive is wearing a mask and all close contacts are wearing masks. Persons who are close contacts must self-monitor symptoms closely throughout the 14-day period following exposure. 

This new executive order allows us to bring back students tomorrow, September 2, 2021, that are in quarantine from an in-school based close contact AND are asymptomatic. Students that are in quarantine from a non-school related close contact OR who are exhibiting symptoms coming with COVID-19 will need to remain in quarantine following the timeline already communicated.

Mishawaka High School students currently in quarantine who are eligible to return on September 2, 2021 will receive a separate communication from Mrs. Sigler sent directly to the student's email stating the student can return. If a student does NOT receive an email, they are required to remain in quarantine.

As you are aware, the School Board approved masks required beginning August 23, 2021 for all SCM students, staff, and guests while indoors, regardless of vaccination status. The goal of requiring masks is to keep our students and employees healthy and to keep our buildings open for in-person learning.

We truly believe that students learn best when they can be face to face with their teachers in the same classroom. With students, staff, and guests wearing masks and the addition of the executive order issued by Governor Holcomb, we can remain with in-person learning.

Thank you to all of our SCM families for your continued patience and flexibility as we make the best decisions for the health, safety and continued successful learning of our students.

Sincerely,

Wayne Barker
Superintendent of Schools