As you likely know, there have been significant changes in recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oregon Health Authority, and Oregon Department of Education regarding face coverings in schools.
We have carefully reviewed the guidance and met with our community health partners to provide expertise and feedback on these changes. All groups were supportive of our ability to keep students in schools safely without the universal use of face coverings when community transmission is low.
Effective March 12, 2022, face coverings will be optional in all district facilities, schools and school buses for students and staff. This includes the school day, before-school and after-school programs and extracurricular activities and athletics.
While face coverings will be optional, it is highly recommended that at-risk adults and students continue to wear KN95 masks. We know some students and adults will choose to wear face coverings and others will not. It is critical we support these decisions as we work together to build a community that supports each other in the decisions that protect their health or the health of those close to them.
Thank you for helping to ensure the health and safety of our schools and community.
