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Facemasks optional in classrooms as re-entry plan approved by CCSC
The first day of school for students in Clay Community Schools will be Monday, August 9: Parents found out Thursday evening during a Special Session meeting of the School Board that facemasks are optional in the classroom. However, facemasks remain mandatory for students traveling on school buses.
A crowd of parents and concerned citizens gathered to hear what to expect regarding COVID-19 during the upcoming school year. A draft of the 2021-22 ReEntry Plan was presented to the board at July 8th monthly meeting, approved by the corporation's attorney, the corporation's health officer, and Clay County Health Department.
Superintendent Jeff Fritz said the plan is similar to last year's Road Map, but COVID-19 is still a fluid situation that could change at any moment. (The school board unanimously approved the plan.)
"I don't have a crystal ball, and I thought today it would be nice to have one," said Fritz about the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. "Then I thought again, and I don't want one. Because I don't think I want to know what is going to happen."
The "elephant in the room," according to Fritz, is what the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention will do next as the Delta Variant begins to spread around the country.
"Parents and employees are encouraged to educate themselves about the decisions they choose to make regarding face coverings, vaccines, and other health-related choices," said Fritz. "We are trying to give that ownership to the parents and employees. Students and employees can voluntarily - that's the keyword - voluntarily provide proof of vaccination to avoid contract tracing or quarantining. We are not in the business of recommending or not recommending vaccines. We are not in the business of asking if vaccinated or not."
The goal all along has been to have the students in the classroom.
"Right now, the CDC is making a recommendation. It is not a mandate," Fritz said. "Again, it's a moving target right now. But there will be mandates in the future. I can guarantee you that."
The superintendent confirmed he would keep the school board, employees, families/students, and the community up-to-date as the school year continues.
Fritz explained at an earlier meeting that school corporations are funded with public tax dollars: If the CDC, the governor, or the department of education issues health mandates for public schools, they will be implemented. There is no leeway for school corporations.
Many of the previous health guidelines will be implemented in the upcoming school year, including:
• signage explaining good hygiene,
• social distancing,
• enhanced cleaning practices throughout the school day, and
• staying home if someone is sick to contain the spread of the virus.
Log onto the Clay Community School Corporation's website to learn more at https://in02200674.schoolwires.net