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School Closure for Students March 16-20
Hello District Families and Staff,
As I indicated in my previous email, the COVID-19 situation is fluid, with information, conditions, and statewide responses changing quickly.
I am announcing school closure for students for the week of March 16, effectively extending the student spring break one additional week. All after school sports, activities and events are cancelled as well, including all practices. It is also very likely that all outside events scheduled in our school buildings and venues will be cancelled.
This decision is not made lightly, and there are multiple considerations when deciding to close school. After conferring with my superintendent colleagues in the other urban centers of Alaska and monitoring the University of Alaska response, I have come to the conclusion that for the health, safety and well-being of our students closure for one more week is the best decision.
Dr. Anne Zink, Chief Medical Officer, State of Alaska, has emphasized “flattening the curve” with regard to the spread of COVID-19. With 13,500+ students and almost 3000 full time and temporary staff, the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District has a significant role in that mitigation effort here in the Interior.
Families will receive more information in the coming days. FNSBSD staff will also be notified directly regarding their status next week. In general, district employee groups will work next week to prepare for a longer-term closure if that becomes necessary, and supervisors will be contacted regarding next steps. We will continue to reach out to families as those plans develop.
Thank you for your patience as we absorb each new wave of information and work to respond to the various challenges accordingly. I appreciate our community’s efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Fairbanks and across the state.
Sincerely,
Dr. Karen Gaborik, Superintendent