Latest school operations plans for COVID-19 mitigation 

Updates to School Operations Plan 8.11.2021

Update 10/15/2021

Dear parents/guardians,
Due to a significant decline in COVID-19 cases among students and staff, as well as, a
significant decline in COVID-19 cases in the community, Muscle Shoals City Schools will
transition back to a "mask preferred" policy effective Monday, October 18, 2021.

This week, we hit a low of three known positive student cases of COVID-19 across the school
district and the community transmission over the last 7 days hit a low of 60 per 100,000. We
have been trending in this direction since early September. For comparison, on Sept. 3, we had
75 known student cases and community transmission at that time was 337 per 100,000. We are
in a much better place, but need to continue to be vigilant.

We will continue to closely monitor reported and known cases of COVID-19 within our schools,
review the cases per 100,000 data on the ADPH dashboard, and consult with local physicians
and hospital administrators.

While masking is no longer required inside our buildings, it is certainly still preferred that
individuals do so. Facial coverings remain one of the main strategies - along with social
distancing, good hygiene, and vaccination - of slowing the spread of COVID-19. We, of course,
reserve the right to reinstate any and all mitigation protocols if and when deemed necessary by
our leadership and nursing staff.

As always, thank you for your cooperation, understanding, and flexibility.

Chad Holden
Superintendent