MASKS REQUIRED STARTING MONDAY
During the September 15 Special School Board Meeting, the Board heard comments from over 70 individuals regarding mask usage in the district. Comments were shared in support of keeping masks optional as well as in support of reinstating a mask mandate. After three hours of public comment and Board discussion, the meeting concluded with the Board voting (4 – 3) in favor of requiring face masks while indoors for PreK-12 staff and students as part of a layered mitigation approach to support all learners inside our buildings.
Face Mask Requirements
- Beginning Monday, September 20, 2021, all UCSD staff, PreK-12 students, vendors, visitors, and spectators are required to wear a face mask (2-ply) while inside district buildings regardless of vaccination status.
- If students or staff forget their mask, schools will supply a disposable mask.
- Per the Presidential Executive Order, students riding on school buses are still required to wear a face covering/mask.
- There is no change to the visitor policy currently in place. Where visitors are permitted, they will be required to wear a mask when indoors.
- Masks are required for indoor activities. Masks are not required for outdoor activities.
- The following in-building exceptions apply:
- Employees working alone in their offices or rooms.
- While participating in activities in which a face covering cannot be worn (e.g. lunch), or would prohibit respiratory function.
- Individuals with an approved accommodation (e.g. IEP) that prevents the wearing of a face mask.
Online Learning
- Students who return to in person learning from online learning (Edgenuity) will not be able to return to online learning if there is a change in the mask mandate.
- No new students will be permitted to begin online (Edgenuity).
Medical / Religious Exemption
- An exemption is available for students as guided by their medical provider or religious beliefs. Please complete an exemption form below and submit to your school nurse:
- (English) UCSD CERTIFICATION OF EXEMPTION FROM MASK REQUIREMENTS
- (Bosnian) POTVRDA O OSLOBA]ANJU OD ZAHTJEVA ZA MASKE
- (Spanish) CERTIFICACIÓN DE EXENCIÓN PARA LOS REQUISITOS DEL USO DE MASCARILLA
- (Hakha Chin) HMAIHUH HUH LODING NAWL HALNAK CERTIFICATION CA
- (Burmese) MASK လိုအပ်ချက်များမှ ကင်းလွတ်ခွင့်အသိအမှတ်ပြုခြင်း
- Staff may contact Human Resources regarding medical or religious exemptions.
Lifting the Mask Mandate
- Background: On 9/13/21, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pratt issued a temporary restraining order blocking HF 847 which prohibited the issuance of mask mandates. The temporary restraining order provided school districts the authority to revisit COVID-19 mitigation strategies including the use of masks by both students and staff in accordance with CDC recommendations.
- Scenario 1: If the courts were to issue a new ruling that would prohibit school districts from mandating masks, UCSD would remove the mandate in compliance with the ruling.
- Scenario 2: UCSD will revisit the mask mandate when Polk County moves to the “moderate” (5% – 7.99%) community transmission level as indicated by the CDC.
We realize this decision is met with relief for some and disappointment for others. Please know, we hear your concerns on both sides of this issue and understand your viewpoints. We will keep you informed as our mitigation efforts continue to evolve in response to federal, state, and/or local decision-making.
VALERIUS FUN RUN
The Valerius Fun Run will take place on October 1. This will be a fun event for students and we're looking forward to celebrating their Superhero Powers of being respectful, responsible, and safe at school! The Fun Run is our biggest fundraiser for the PTO. Funds raised support our Valerius students in many ways, including field trip funds, classroom enrichment, Valerius T-shirts for every student, school celebrations, and more. Our school-wide goal this year is to raise $8000. Keep an eye out for progress updates!
Donations: Donations can be made at any time at https://valeriuspto.square.site/
A flyer with information on donations was sent home in Friday folders today, and can also be accessed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11i8S0RM93hGOCf7tbC-MzDStOM6wP_Kz/view?usp=sharing
Volunteers: We also need volunteers to make this event a success! Please see this sign up link if you can help out: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EA9AA2BA5FCC25-valerius
Valerius Yard Signs
Dine To Donate
Valerius Bricks Available
As deconstruction of the original Valerius Elementary building continues, there are bricks available for community members wishing to have a brick as a keepsake. Please review the following information:
- Bricks are available at Urbandale High School (Note: The Valerius site is an active construction zone; only authorized personnel are allowed to enter the site.)
- Turn into the UHS parking lot near the football stadium (east side of the building) and go toward the loading dock area. Bricks are stacked on a pallet next to the building.
- Please limit the number of bricks to 4 per household; bricks are free.
- We encourage you to pick up your brick(s) between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to help reduce traffic congestion at the high school.
- Please be extra cautious driving into this area as there may be students and staff in the vicinity.
VALERIUS ELEMENTARY
Office Manager: Angie Jones; jonesa1@urbandaleschools.com
Nurse: Jenny Villegas; villegasj@urbandaleschools.com
Guidance Counselor: Melissa MacGregor; macgregorm@urbandaleschools.com
FFO: Eddye Vanderkwaak, vanderkwaake@urbandaleschools.com
Website: https://www.urbandaleschools.com/schools/valerius-elementary/
Location: 6301 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA, USA
Phone: 515-457-6500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valeriuselementary