January 22, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Families,
This letter is to confirm our return to hybrid, in-person learning on Monday, January 25, 2021 and to provide new information regarding school-based activities. Barring unforeseen staffing issues or new COVID-19 concerns, we look forward to greeting our students under our hybrid, in-person model starting on Monday. We are confident that our COVID-19 safety protocols and mitigation strategies are working effectively to prevent school transmission.
The Maine Principals' Association (MPA) recently announced a decision to allow counties with a “yellow” designation to participate in athletics. Based on their updated guidance and our communication with other schools in southern Maine, most Sanford High School winter sports teams will start skills and drills practices this Monday. Coaches will be in touch with student athletes to provide them with specific plans and expectations. Safety remains paramount and we will follow the safety protocols for COVID-19 that are already working so well in our schools.
Sanford Middle School winter athletics will begin February 1, 2021, with signups starting next week. High School and Middle School clubs, group artistic endeavors, and student groups that can safely follow COVID-19 guidelines will also begin organizing in-person activities in the coming weeks.
This remains a fluid situation. The data shows that our schools are doing a good job following safety protocols and that they are one of the safest places to be. Team sports and collaborative activities play an important role in the lives of our students. The opportunity to begin after school activities is great news but it will be up to all participants to demonstrate that we can do it safely. I am confident that our students, coaches and advisors will successfully meet this challenge.
Stay safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Matt Nelson, Superintendent