Reston, VA—NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe issued the following statement on today’s release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on guidance for reopening schools:

“The guidance signals a refreshing approach to the discussion about reopening schools. Principals want their students and educators safely back in their respective buildings, actively engaging in in-person learning and reestablishing the personal connections we’ve all missed for almost a full calendar year. This first installment from the CDC begins to provide the coherent evidence- and fact-based guidance from health experts that principals have needed all along to address the safety and well-being of the school community and to provide quality, in-person learning experiences.

“This more practical approach is no accident. We applaud the Biden administration for actively soliciting principals’ input and feedback to understand the practical realities of reopening schools as well as the real-life implications of guidance and policy. They recognize that keeping schools open is a shared responsibility that can’t fall just on school personnel—that principals need relief from the COVID-19 management duties (e.g., doing contact tracing, measuring and marking off 6-foot berths to promote safety, notifying families and the public about quarantine requirements, covering classes due to staff illness and lack of qualified and available substitutes) that continue to consume their time, so they can refocus on student learning and well-being. The administration also acknowledges the trauma and mental health struggles the pandemic has exacerbated—especially for our most vulnerable populations—and that meeting all those needs requires clarity on available funding and supports. NASSP is committed to partnering with the administration to provide the necessary school-level perspective to inform its important work.

About NASSP

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for middle and high school principals and other school leaders across the United States. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student’s potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Student Council.