[ad_1]
Public schools will no longer require students, teachers, parents, and other staff or visitors to wear masks after June 4, stated Governor Greg Abbott in an executive order dated May 18 (courtesy of Adobe Stock)
Leander ISD recommends students, staff and families wear masks in school to prevent further spread of the coronavirus according to the district’s new guidelines. Students will be returning to school in two weeks on August 12th.
“With more than 21,000 students in our district under the age of 12, over half of our student body is still not eligible for vaccines, and masking has been shown to reduce transmission of the virus and protect those who are not vaccinated,” the district said in a press release .
Leander ISD this week updated its COVID-19 logs to include green, yellow and red transmission levels. The county has been on yellow since July 28th. This means that indicators such as the average number of new infections, the situation in the area or state, and vaccination rate and access are “moderate or worsening”.
In the yellow phase, masks are recommended indoors; Desks can be spaced 3 feet apart as needed, if possible; and hand washing twice a day is recommended for elementary school students as per the district’s protocols.
On July 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their guidelines for everyone – including those fully vaccinated – on how to wear masks in K-12 schools. The update also recommends that fully vaccinated individuals in areas with “high” or “significant” transmission rates wear masks in indoor public spaces. Travis and Williamson counties have had high transmission rates since July 28th.
During the July 22nd meeting of the Board of Trustees, officials said the district will notify families of COVID-19 cases at the campus level but not at the classroom level in the new school year. The local health districts, which are Williamson County and Cities Health District and Austin Public Health, will manage the contact tracing previously conducted by the district. The district’s COVID-19 dashboard will continue to be updated starting August 5th. In addition, no daily self-assessment forms are required.
Superintendent Bruce Gearing said at the meeting that the district’s goal is to remain open because “personal learning is extremely important to all of our students and staff.”
“But to stay open and protect everyone, it will be critical that we continue to use the protocols that have worked so well for us over the past 18 months,” said Gearing. “That’s why we will recommend everyone to wear masks.”
Public school districts cannot make mask compulsory under Governor Greg Abbott’s May 18 ordinance. 32 Texas officials are calling on Abbott and Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath to allow public schools to issue mask mandates and virtual learning options for the 2021-22 school year.
Leander ISD is offering a virtual option for the next school year, but the 300 places are already filled and there is a waiting list of around 200 students. Nearby, Round Rock and Austin ISDs will also have limited virtual programs.
The Leander School District will host a Vaccination Clinic on August 5th from 4pm to 8pm in the LISD Technology Building at 315 S. West Drive, Leander. Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available. No insurance or ID is required.
Claire Shoop and Amy Rae Dadamo contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
