HANCOCK COUNTY — Masks will be optional. That’s one of the new guidelines presented by officials from Southern Hancock schools as they laid out COVID-19 protocol for the upcoming school year.
The new guidelines went into effect July 1 and apply for the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.
While the district’s plan is in place, Superintendent Lisa Lantrip stressed everything is subject to change and is based on the status of COVID-19 in the community. She said new requirements from the Hancock County Health Department, Indiana Department of Health, or Gov. Eric Holcomb could cause a change in plans for parents, staff and students and they need to be aware of that heading into the school year. On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxed its guidelines, announcing vaccinated students and teachers won’t have to wear masks at all.
“Our plan has been developed in accordance with all requirements at the federal, state, and local level,” Lantrip said. “We will always follow those requirements as part of our COVID-19 decision-making process.”
While masks will not be required inside schools, per federal regulations from the U.S. Department of Transportation, masks are still going to be required on all school buses for all school districts in the United States.
“The district is required by law to comply with this regulation,” Lantrip said. “Students and staff will wear a face covering on the bus at all times.”
However, Lantrip noted, as soon as anyone riding on a school bus exits the bus, face coverings may be removed.
When it comes to dealing with staff and students who test positive for the virus, district officials are insisting anyone with a positive case of COVID-19 to stay home. The decision is based on the goal of stopping the spread of the virus at school. The health department has recommended a time period of 10 days, and the district will adhere to that.
“All students and staff members who test positive will be required to stay home for 10 days from the first onset of symptoms,” Lantrip said.
In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and all other illnesses, students who display COVID-19 symptoms at school will be sent home until symptoms are resolved.
The district is encouraging all parents to monitor children for symptoms of any illnesses, including COVID-19 and are asking if a student is ill to keep them home.
To date, the district has not received any kind of guidelines for requirements of contact tracing or quarantines from the Hancock County Health Department. Lantrip said the team is still working on those details and will share the information as soon as it is available.
As for vaccinations, the district is encouraging staff and students to get the shot, but Lantrip stressed it’s a family decision.
Since the COVID-19 vaccine has not been required at the state or local level, the district will not require a student to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to attend school in 2021-22.
The district’s custodial staff will continue with heightened sanitizing practices.
Each principal will share information about how certain procedures for classes and lunch periods will operate in their buildings. Parents and staff can expect to see more details about those procedures by the end of the month.
Lantrip wanted to stress these are the initial plans for the upcoming year, so they’re subject to change at any time based on new guidance and requirements.
“As these changes occur throughout the school year, they will be communicated as soon as possible,” Lantrip said.
She noted despite all the issues last year, they had a successful 2020-21 school year and are using what they learned to make the 2021-22 school year even better.
“I am excited to begin the 2021-22 school year,” Lantrip said. “There are many things that will be more normal.”
That includes allowing for full capacity at sporting events. Lantrip noted the student experience will support learning and provide for increased socialization during the school hours.
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Greenfield-Central: July 29
Mt. Vernon: July 29
Southern Hancock: Aug. 3
Eastern Hancock: Aug. 4
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