August 2021

Dear SJCSD Parents/Guardians,

First, I want to thank you for your support and preparation which led to an outstanding first week of school with your children.   Again, this year we find ourselves working in the midst of the COVID pandemic.  Although many conditions have changed, we are still in a situation that calls for us to be vigilant in our efforts to protect ourselves and the children we serve.  Due to the rate of positive cases that are coming into school, the St. Johns County School District is mandating face masks or face shields for all employees and visitors for the next 30 days.  In accordance with Executive Order 2021-175, this temporary mandate does not apply to students. This is effective tomorrow, August 25, 2021, and we will evaluate this mandate at the end of the 30-day period ending, September 23, 2021.

Sincerely,
Tim Forson
Superintendent of Schools
St. Johns County School District

Dear SJCSD parents and guardians,

As the first week of school concludes, I wish to thank you for your support and assistance.  We have enjoyed the return of students to the classroom and the excitement that a new year brings.  Already it is evident that our district is growing as we have welcomed many new families and hired many new employees.  We hope the new families to our district are quickly becoming comfortable in our communities and they are enjoying the many assets our county has to offer.

While we hoped this school year would be a departure from the many COVID restrictions we had in place last school year, we are still seeing the need to maintain much of the same protocols.  Although masks are not required, we do highly recommend the use of a mask in elementary schools and in any school environment where there may be a risk of exposure to COVID. Our COVID data is posted on the district website and we will continue to post and monitor our daily COVID numbers as the year progresses.  We are continuing to emphasize hand washing and good personal hygiene as well as maintaining a high standard of building cleanliness and air quality.  We are also monitoring spacing of students whenever possible and their interaction in large groups to minimize the need to quarantine.   Just as it was a fluid situation last year, we know we must be able to pivot and support families throughout this school year.  I recognize there is no pandemic plan that aligns with everyone’s personal position on COVID.  We will continue our work to protect the health and safety of all students and staff inclusive of the social, emotional, and mental health concerns when living in a pandemic for more than a year.

Lastly, I would like to celebrate the unified efforts of this community to focus on the risks of the pandemic and understand that overcoming COVID can only occur when we all contribute to healthy behaviors throughout our community.  The success of SJC to deal with this pandemic does not start and stop at the school.  I thank you for sharing your children with our teachers so that we can provide them an educational experience that prepares them for the next stage of their lives.  This is going to be an outstanding school year in which our children will grow and learn together.

Together,

Tim Forson
Superintendent of Schools
St. Johns County School District

Dear SJCSD Parents and Guardians,

The 2021-2022 school year is upon us and we look forward to the return of students to our schools. Before starting the new year, I would like to thank our families and employees for their work and support last year. Academically, St. Johns County schools excelled on Florida State Assessments (FSA) this past spring. This would not have been possible without the commitment of all stakeholders in the school community and the outstanding academic skills of students. While our community continues to be impacted by COVID, we look forward to the excitement and enthusiasm of a new school year.

This year we will continue to implement our COVID safety protocols as communicated on May 14, 2021 and Board approved in July 2021. The most notable adjustments include optional face masks, no longer having daily temperature checks, and reduction in the use of classroom dividers based on specific needs. Due to the most recent increase in COVID virus spread in our community, I highly recommend the use of face masks as the school year begins. This is an important consideration in our elementary school environments in which the parents of students 12 years old and younger do not have the option for their children to be vaccinated. Ultimately, we are expected to follow Governor DeSantis Executive Order 21-175 which acknowledges the parental right to make decisions for their own children related to face masks. This order has been followed by emergency rules of the Florida State Board of Education and the Florida Department of Health.

Our schools will begin the year limiting visitors and parents during the school day to support a healthy and safe school environment. Student and staff quarantining will continue to be a strategy this year to minimize the opportunity for the spread of COVID within the school building and in the community. While we understand that quarantining is disruptive to classrooms and families, it is a necessary prevention strategy. We are committed to maintaining campus sanitation and health protocols that were introduced last school year. Please refer to our website for comprehensive COVID protocol information at http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us.

A new school year brings new families, staff, and students, and new learning experiences. I hope that your family enjoyed a memorable summer and is looking forward to the return to school.

Together,

Tim Forson