“We know there may be students, families and/or staff who believe it is in their best interest to continue to wear a mask after it is no longer required,” Oakwood Superintendent Kyle Ramey said on the school district’s website. “Mask wearing will be acceptable and supported.”
The superintendent cited the “unavailability of vaccines for” kindergarten and elementary school students for the mask requirement.
Ramey said junior high and high school students and staff will not be required to wear face masks, but they “will be highly recommended.”
He cited the Ohio Department of Health, which stated “the virus remains a health threat.” The first day of Oakwood classes is scheduled for Aug. 25.
Ramey’s message was posted on the district’s website Sunday as he also outlined cleaning, social distancing and quarantine protocols.
“The last week brought new insight and recommendations on how to best protect everyone when we return to full-time, in-person, five days a week learning later this month,” Ramey said.
“Our district was effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 last year and keeping our students safe,” he added. “We believe, once again, using layered protective strategies will provide the most protection and allow our students the opportunity to return to in person learning and stay there as long as possible.”
Last month, two of Montgomery County’s most populated school districts — Centerville and Kettering — announced plans to not require face masks next month when they to return to five-day, in-school instruction.
Likewise, in all Warren County school districts, masks will be optional for all students whether or not they have been vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus, officials have said.
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