The USD 335 Board of Education has carefully considered patron input, staff input, weighed pros and cons for students of different ages and reviewed available health guidance from a variety of sources to develop a face covering policy. Yesterday, Jackson County Commissioners passed a resolution to let districts decide their plan in regard to Executive Order 20-59 and the USD 335 Board of Education approved the following face covering policy at last night's board meeting. The board also decided to revisit the policy on a monthly basis based on how these guidelines are working at both schools and the most current health guidance. We recognize face coverings are an adjustment and hope we can work through issues together since this is a new policy for everyone. USD 335 will provide up to 2 face masks per student during the school year.
"Mask or other face covering" means a covering of the nose and mouth that is secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears or is simply wrapped around the lower face. A mask or other face covering can be made of a variety of synthetic and natural fabrics, including cotton, silk, or linen. Ideally, a mask or other face covering has two or more layers. Neck gaiters are an acceptable form of face covering. Face coverings should be school appropriate and follow dress code guidelines.
According to the CDC, masks are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), so the use of masks is very important in settings where people are close to each other or where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
| Jackson Heights Elementary School |
| Time | Mask Required | Mask Not Needed |
| Riding Bus | X | |
| At school 7:30-8:00 AM (waiting in commons or gym) | X | |
| Breakfast/Lunch/Snack | X | |
| Classrooms | X (with homeroom class during times social distance isn’t possible) | X (in PK, kindergarten or other homeroom class that has 6 ft. social distancing) |
| Visiting other rooms (i.e. Title I) | X | |
| Recess | X | |
| PE | X | |
| Music | X | |
| Group Restrooms | X | |
| Library | X | |
| Offices | X | |
| Speech Services | X Can wear a face shield. | |
| Activities at HS (art, band, etc.) | X |
| Jackson Heights High School & Middle School |
| Time | Mask Required | Mask Not Needed |
| Riding Bus | X | |
| At school 7:30-8:00 AM (waiting in commons or gym) | X | |
| Breakfast & Lunch | X (while socializing) | X (while eating) |
| Classrooms | X (in classrooms when social distance isn’t possible) | X (in classrooms that have 6 ft. social distance) |
| PE | X | |
| Weight Room | X | |
| Passing Periods | X | |
| Shop Classes | X | |
| Restrooms | X | |
| Offices | X | |
| Locker Room | X | |
| Sports Practices | X |
Students may wear face coverings at not needed times based on family preference.
Exceptions to wearing a face covering include:
a. While working in a room or office that in which all individuals present can maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity.
b. Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering or who are otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance. (In this case, a medical excuse is required from a physician.)
c. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, or communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
d. Persons who are engaged in high intensity activities like running may not be able to wear a mask if it causes difficulty breathing. (USD 335 plans to have PE classes outside when feasible this fall.)