Masks Optional For Students, Staff In Plainfield District 202

PLAINFIELD, IL — Masks will be optional in Plainfield School District 202 buildings in the upcoming school year. It's up to parents if their children will wear them, the district announced Monday night.

Those who are ages 2 and up and not fully vaccinated are encouraged, but not required, to wear masks indoors. Officials said in earlier planning stages that procedures for the upcoming school year were "fully expected" to change, and change they did at the Board of Education's "Back to School 2021-22" regular meeting Monday night, where the decision was approved.

"The most recent guidance gives local districts more latitude in terms of mitigations, and we are very happy to finally get students back in the classrooms full-time where they belong, and where we can best serve and support them," Superintendent of Schools Lane Abrell said in a statement.

While masks aren't mandatory in school buildings, the district is following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and requiring all passengers and drivers to wear masks on school busses or any other school-provided transportation. Buses should also open or crack windows when possible to allow for more airflow, according to a presentation.

"This is a welcome step forward," Abrell said.

As of the latest board meeting, the district is not requiring their students and staff to get the vaccine. But those who are eligible are encouraged to get it.

RELATED: Plainfield SD202 Students To Return Full Time, Wear Masks In Fall

Social-distancing measures of 3 feet or more will also be in place "to ensure all students have access to in-person learning." Contact tracing will also continue, and those who have been within 6 feet of someone who tested positive for the coronavirus will need to quarantine unless the exposed person is vaccinated or both were wearing masks and individually tested, officials said in their recommendation.

During the upcoming school year, the district said it will monitor current weekly data on COVID-19 cases and vaccine coverage within the school, monitor new variants and keep an eye on the virus in the community at large.

The district may ask parents and guardians for proof of vaccination in specific circumstances, including when contact tracing, officials said. District officials said they will continue to consider providing COVID-19 screenings to students and staff as well.

New information as it becomes available will be posted on the district's homepage.

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