Update Pursuant to Executive Order GA-34

Update Pursuant to Executive Order GA-34,

Texas Education Agency SY 20-21 Public Health Planning Guidance, and

2020-2021 UIL COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Guidelines

March 4, 2021

Dear Alpine ISD Staff, Students, Parents/Guardians, and Community,

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has issued updated public health guidance in response to Executive Order GA-34. The TEA updated guidance, dated March 4, 2021, can be accessed via the TEA website at https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/SY-20-21-Public-Health-Guidance.pdf. Public school districts are required to adhere to this guidance.

The section titled Health and Hygiene Practices: Masks, on Page 7 of the March 4, 2021 guidance, explains our requirements pertaining to masks. Based on this guidance, at this time, Alpine ISD will continue to require face coverings in the same manner as previously required. Additionally, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) will continue to require face coverings for all events. The March 4, 2021 updated 2020-2021 UIL COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Guidelines is available via the UIL website at https://www.uiltexas.org/policy/covid-19/2020-2021-uil-covid-19-risk-mitigation-guidelines.

The updated TEA public health guidance does allow the school board to modify or eliminate mask requirements by formal action. The Alpine ISD Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday, March 24th and will discuss our options at that meeting.

As always, the health and safety of our students, staff, parents/guardians and community remains our priority.

Sincerely,

Becky McCutchen

Superintendent of Schools

Alpine ISD