Public Relations
In the Oneida School District’s Board meeting held on February 16, 2021, the Trustees voted to remove the mask mandate and move toward recommending the wearing of masks. The Board Chairman, Kirk Willie, cited several reasons why this shift was made at this time.
First was for the safety of students and employees. This is why we originally mandated masks. It was felt by the Board that masks would help us keep our school doors open. We would not be able to keep our schools open if we have a high spread rate among our employees. A high spread rate among employees would have led to a shut-down like last year. Many schools inside the state and across the nation have been closed due to COVID; we have not. This is due to the numerous safety protocols which have been in place throughout the year. We have accomplished this objective in trying to keep our doors open for face-to-face instruction.
Second, our school employees have had the opportunity to receive a COVID vaccination. This vaccination significantly reduces the chances of them getting COVID. This circumstance allows for less strict mask-wearing protocols because this ties directly into our first objective above, to keep our employees healthy and safe.
Finally, the COVID rates in our community are coming down slowly. For these reasons, the Board felt it would be safe to loosen that protocol to a recommendation instead of a requirement.
The Board pointed out that all other safety protocols are still in place.
Yes, generally, masks are recommended and not required. However, as per safety protocol which has not changed, if a student(s) is exposed to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 and they were within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes, they must be quarantined.
There are two quarantine procedures:
First was for the safety of students and employees. This is why we originally mandated masks. It was felt by the Board that masks would help us keep our school doors open. We would not be able to keep our schools open if we have a high spread rate among our employees. A high spread rate among employees would have led to a shut-down like last year. Many schools inside the state and across the nation have been closed due to COVID; we have not. This is due to the numerous safety protocols which have been in place throughout the year. We have accomplished this objective in trying to keep our doors open for face-to-face instruction.
Second, our school employees have had the opportunity to receive a COVID vaccination. This vaccination significantly reduces the chances of them getting COVID. This circumstance allows for less strict mask-wearing protocols because this ties directly into our first objective above, to keep our employees healthy and safe.
Finally, the COVID rates in our community are coming down slowly. For these reasons, the Board felt it would be safe to loosen that protocol to a recommendation instead of a requirement.
The Board pointed out that all other safety protocols are still in place.
Yes, generally, masks are recommended and not required. However, as per safety protocol which has not changed, if a student(s) is exposed to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 and they were within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes, they must be quarantined.
There are two quarantine procedures:
- If the exposed student was not wearing a mask during the time of exposure, they are quarantined at home for 6 days. If they are not showing any symptoms, they may return to school at that time.
- If a student(s) was wearing a mask throughout the time of exposure, the student may continue to attend school and be monitored for symptoms; however, they must wear a mask at school during that quarantined period. If the student chooses not to wear a mask, they will quarantine at home, as explained in the first given scenario.