Dear Balsz Families & Staff,

At a Special Governing Board meeting 9/28, our Board voted to implement a mask mandate for all students, staff, and visitors to Balsz facilities, effective 9/29/2021. This mandate will remain in place indefinitely.

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Balsz School District has continued to monitor all news and activity regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). In alignment with Governor Doug Ducey’s declaration of a public health emergency for the State of Arizona, Balsz has been proactively planning for all possible scenarios for our schools.

Any updates will be posted here and on our social media, and families will be notified via phone call, text, and/or email

As of 9/30 As of 10/7

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Last updated 10/7/2021

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July 12, 2021

Dear Balsz Elementary School District Families,

Thank you to our students, staff, and community for working hard to follow health and safety protocols that helped us keep classrooms open for students to learn in person.

On June 30, 2021, Governor Ducey signed a budget that includes many provisions that will affect schools and school funding throughout Arizona. One such provision has an immediate impact on students and staff in our District. Effective June 30, 2021, counties, cities, towns, schools and school districts are prohibited from requiring students or staff to wear face coverings during school hours and on school property. Schools are also prohibited from requiring a vaccine for students and staff to participate in in-person instruction.

While this decision means that students and staff are no longer required to wear face coverings in Balsz Elementary School District, we encourage anyone who has not been vaccinated to follow the guidance of health officials by wearing a face covering. Anyone who chooses to wear a face covering for any reason has the option to do so at any time.

Sincerely,
Zeek Ojeh, Acting Superintendent

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Links to Additional Information and Resources

What is Coronavirus Disease?
- A coronavirus causes diseases ranging from the common cold to more serious respiratory illness.
- The COVID-19 virus is a new strain which has a more severe impact in terms of respiratory illness, with fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
- There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19, but there is a vaccine for seasonal flu, which is recommended for all people over the age of 6 months.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people get infected with a coronavirus at some point in their lives.
What can students and families do?
- Be aware of symptoms of illness and stay home if you are not feeling well.
- Follow best practices for prevention of the spread of viruses, including COVID- 19 and the common cold or flu: wash hands frequently; do not touch eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands; cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing; and get a flu shot.
- Ensure contact information is up-to-date in the event that large group notifications are sent by phone, email, and text message.
- Keep yourself up-to-date on what the Maricopa County Health Department, the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control suggest.
- Be personally prepared:
  - Make sure you have a supply of all essential medications for your family.
  - Make a childcare plan in case you or a caregiver become sick.
  - Make arrangements about how your family would manage if there is a school closure.
  - Make a plan for how you can care for a sick family member without getting sick yourself.
How can I protect myself against COVID-19?
The CDC recommends taking the same measures you would do to prevent getting or spreading the common flu. These include:
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or, if unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are approved for student and staff use.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your sneeze or cough with a tissue, then immediately dispose of the tissue. If tissues are unavailable, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow, then wash your hands.
- Stay up-to-date with the flu vaccine and all other vaccinations.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home if you are sick and do not return to work or school until your temperature is below 100 degrees, without the use of fever-reducing medication, for at least 24 hours.
If families or staff have health inquiries, what should they do?

Meals to Go

Bus Drop-Off

Links to Additional Information and Resources

What is Coronavirus Disease?

What can students and families do?

How can I protect myself against COVID-19?

If families or staff have health inquiries, what should they do?