WE ARE BACK and we are off to an amazing start for the 2021-2022 school year. By the time you read this, we will have completed the first few weeks of the school year. When I walk into classrooms I see teachers taking time to establish routines and procedures and setting positive classroom environments. Each classroom is filled with thoughts and ideas and it is exciting to see students engaged in a variety of classroom activities.

I WANT TO SHARE with everyone that we have a very important election coming up on November 2, 2021. In this election, we will be electing three school board members to four-year terms. A school board member has an important role in the success of a school district. This is a non-partisan, volunteer position. The reward for being a school board member comes from the opportunity to provide an important service to the community. If you would like more information, please contact myself or one of the current board members. We have information and election materials available in the central office.

COVID is always an agenda item and topic at the school. The Delta variant is spreading through our nation and community. We know to stop the spread of the virus you need to stay home when you are ill or infected (sometimes you are infected without symptoms). The school now has saliva test kits we can pass out to families. The kits are free of charge and come with prepaid mailing for you to send the test back to the state hygienic lab. These same COVID saliva tests are available at Test Iowa sites currently. Another excellent tool we have for COVID mitigation is vaccination. Vaccines are readily available at various locations throughout our community for those twelve and older. Universal masking was in place throughout the state last year and did play a role in overall mitigation of the virus. It is still a strong mitigation tool to utilize to help stop transmission of the virus.

AS ALWAYS, if you have any questions please feel free to call or email me at any time. Thank you so much for your continued support of the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District.

Sincerely,

KYLE KOEPPEN

Superintendent
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