ABC Columbia
Students still required to wear face coverings in R1 schools
May 11, 2021 10:31 PM EDT
(Courtesy: RCSD1)
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) – Tuesday, Richland School District One announced it will still require students wear face coverings at its schools, despite Governor Henry McMaster’s latest executive order which gave parents the power to opt their children out of wearing masks in public schools.
Superintendent Craig Witherspoon said the district’s face covering policy and related requirements will remain in place, including the wearing of face coverings by students and staff in our schools and administrative buildings and on our school buses as the district awaits guidance and additional information from the S.C. Department of Education and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Dear Richland One Parents and Staff,
Late this afternoon, the governor issued an executive order regarding the wearing of face coverings in public schools. We have not had an opportunity to review and assess the 15-page order in its entirety. We are also awaiting guidance and additional information from the S.C. Department of Education and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Until then, our face covering policy and related requirements will remain in place, including the wearing of face coverings by students and staff in our schools and administrative buildings and on our school buses.
The health and safety of our students and staff continue to be our priorities, as they have been throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which is not over.
Richland One to remain virtual through âat leastâ end of January
Richland One to remain virtual through âat leastâ end of January By Laurel Mallory | January 12, 2021 at 5:02 PM EST - Updated January 12 at 11:41 PM
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Richland County School District One will keep students virtual until at least the end of January, district officials said Tuesday, citing high COVID-19 activity in the state.
The district
However, in a letter shared with parents Tuesday, Superintendent Craig Witherspoon said the district âwill remain in Phase 1 (eLearning) at least for additional two weeks, through Friday, January 29.â
Witherspoon said the district wants to keep things as consistent as possible for students.