VALPARAISOÂ â Wearing face masks will be recommended, but optional for students at Union Township School Corp. next school year.Â
According to the district s Return to Learn plan on its website, students will learn in person unless staffing can t be maintained or the health department advises a closure. Similarly, masks will be optional in school and at extracurricular activities unless state or local health officials direct otherwise.Â
However, some mitigation strategies prompted by the pandemic will continue, such as reduced capacity at lunch tables and increased cleaning of high-touch surfaces. The plan says hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette will be taught and encouraged.Â
VALPARAISOÂ â Two months after parents and community members spoke out against mandated masks at Valparaiso Community Schools, the district approved a final plan for optional masks in the upcoming school year.Â
At a meeting Thursday night, the school board unanimously approved the plan outlining the district s policy that includes optional masking, social distancing and a quarantine policy dependent on vaccination status. Audience members did raise comments and even some concerns, but board members and Superintendent Jim McCall reiterated that the district is following guidance from health officials.Â
Back in May, the district approved its plan for students to return to the classroom full time without e-learning days. Students who wish to continue virtual learning will have the option through Edmentum.Â
EAST CHICAGOÂ â For many students in Northwest Indiana, masks will be optional for the upcoming school year, but that won t be the case for pupils in East Chicago.Â
According to a Return to Learn plan on the School City of East Chicago website, students and staff will need to have masks on them at all times next year and will be required to wear them in specified indoor and outdoor settings.Â
The district s plan outlines three levels based on how many active exposure cases of COVID-19 are present in the school buildings â green for no to low spread, yellow for minimal to moderate and red for substantial.Â
East Chicago students will be required to wear masks next school year nwitimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nwitimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Fourth graders to get enhanced field trip experience at Benjamin Harrison museum nwitimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nwitimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.