Green Light for School Reopening

The Maine Department of Education released its county classifications for school reopening on Friday, July 31, and has classified every county in the state as “green.” This means that schools can open for in-person instruction, providing they can meet the mandated health and safety standards.

Fully opening the schools is not required, however; it is up to each school district to make that decision. The decision on whether to fully open Sanford schools will be made by the School Committee at its meeting on August 10.

Regardless of whether Sanford schools fully or partially reopen, parents will have the option to keep their children at home and take advantage of remote instruction.

The advisory categorizes each county according to the risk of the spread of Covid-19. A “red” designation means the county has a high risk of Covid-19 spread, and that in-person schooling should not occur. “Yellow” means that the county has an elevated risk of the virus spreading, and a hybrid model, incorporating both in-person and online learning, should be adopted. A “green” designation means that risk of Covid-19 spreading is low, and that in-person instruction for all students may be conducted if the school is able to adhere to the state-mandated required health and safety measures.

The county designations were made by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, based on several factors, including case rates and positivity rates. Designations may be revised every two weeks, if conditions change.

The health and safety measures that all schools must adhere to for any in-person instruction include protocols for symptom screening before coming to school; physical distancing requirements; face coverings; hand hygiene; personal protective equipment; and procedures for returning to school following an illness.

Face coverings will be required for all students, faculty and staff members. Anyone who cannot wear a mask due to a preexisting condition, will be required to wear a face shield that covers them from ear to ear and below the chin. Face coverings must be worn on school buses as well.

More information is available on the Maine DOE website here.