Hello NSSD Families,
As we gear up for the 2025-2026 school year, North Summit School District, in collaboration with the Summit County Health Department, is taking proactive steps to help you and your child(ren) stay healthy and learning, especially as we respond to a rise in measles cases across the country. One of the purposes of this letter is to try to get in front of a potential issue before it becomes a disruption. Rather than wait to respond in the middle of a crisis, we believe early and transparent communication is the best way to support families, ensure informed decision-making, and maintain trust within our school community. Between January and July 2025, 1, 311 measles cases have been confirmed in 40 states, which is the highest annual total since 1992. Utah has now reported 11 confirmed cases (7 in Utah County and 4 in Southwest Utah). While these numbers may not sound like much to some, we feel it is essential for all of us to stay informed and prepared.
Because schools are environments where students are in close contact, we know the risk of a measles exposure increases during the school year. Measles spreads easily and can lead to serious health complications for individuals who are not protected through prior infection or vaccination. The length of time between a measles exposure and presentation of symptoms is 7-21 days. In the event of a measles exposure, unvaccinated students and staff may be required to stay home for up to 21 days per exposure, disrupting learning and participation in important school- based and life activities.
I want to acknowledge that many families are still processing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including school closures, evolving public health guidance, and concerns about medical interventions. It’s natural to have questions and hesitations when another infectious disease is in the news.
Measles is a well-understood disease, and our response is guided by long-standing public health protocols rooted in decades of research- not emergency powers. Unlike the uncertainty of COVID-19, we now have stable, research-based strategies and legal frameworks in place. Both the state of Utah and our district have clear plans to minimize disruption and keep students and staff safe. There are no plans for school-wide closures or sweeping mandates; instead, our focus is on the individual prevention, clear communication, and supporting each parent’s right to choose what’s best for their child(ren). Because response measures depend on an individual’s immunity status, planning ahead is essential.
We encourage all families to review the attached fact sheets below, which include important information about measles, how it spreads, how to prevent it, and what to expect in case of exposure. Taking a few minutes now can help ensure your child has a safe, uninterrupted, and a more healthy school year.
Together, we can keep our schools and community healthy.
Wade Murdock
Superintendent
Measles Fact Sheet (English)
Measles Fact Sheet (Spanish)