Dear SDMA Families and Staff,

While the use of masks in the SDMA is optional, federal regulations require the use of masks on school buses.  The CDC order is currently scheduled to expire on January 18.

Since the beginning of the school year, thousands of disposable masks have been provided by the district to children who have not supplied their own mask.  In some cases, children are using two or three disposable masks each day. This practice is not only wasteful, but it is becoming expensive for the school district. 

Beginning on Monday, September 20, 2021, students will be expected to provide their own mask for riding the bus. A limited number of reusable cloth face coverings will be available for all students to have beginning on Monday, but once that supply runs out, students will not be allowed to board the bus without having a mask.

Families may wish to provide their child with a sealable plastic baggie to keep in their backpack to store masks.  Having one baggie for clean masks and one baggie for used masks might be a good idea.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Joe Zydowsky