Below please find a message from Superintendent Andy Culp regarding the Board of Education's vote to rescind the mask mandate for students and staff. Watch the video recording of the meeting here https://youtu.be/A0VjZvW7-vE
Dear Students, Staff, Families, and Community,
Tonight the Grandview Heights Schools Board of Education voted to rescind the mask mandate for our staff and students, beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
We know that a change will be welcomed by some and will cause concern for others. We have many primary age students who have never attended school in Grandview Heights Schools without wearing a mask. For most of the past two years masks have been part of the schooling experience for all of our students and staff.
With this change we want students and staff to make the choice that they believe is best for them while recognizing that others may feel differently than they do. As stated in our last communication, it is important for our community, students, and staff to be leaders in modeling behaviors that demonstrate respect, reverence, and grace for one another. I encourage you to talk with your students about this change and the roles we will all play in being respectful to both those who at that time choose to wear a mask and those who choose to not wear a mask.
It should be noted that the Board feels very strongly about respecting the choices of one another and added language to the resolution that states, "No person shall be subject to harassment, intimidation or bullying for wearing or not wearing a mask."
The CDC is exercising its enforcement discretion to not require people to wear masks on buses or vans operated by schools. In line with the CDC’s position, masking on all Grandview Heights transportation is now optional. Also, importantly there may still be times where masks are needed to be worn. For example, a COVID-19 positive case, opting to return on day 6 of their isolation, must continue to wear a mask consistently and correctly for an additional 5 days while around others. Students and staff that have been exposed to a positive COVID case should follow the guidance provided by FCPH/ODH regarding quarantine and must wear a mask consistently and correctly for 10 days around others
Furthermore, other mitigation strategies will continue such as distancing at elementary and middle school lunch, enhanced cleaning protocols, handwashing, promoting vaccination, notification and guidance. As COVID-19 numbers continue to recede, we will continue to re-evaluate these measures as well.
Given all that our students, staff, families, and community have endured since March 2020, I am appreciative of all of our collective efforts that have allowed for us to arrive at this place in time, together. Thank you to our students, staff, families, and community for maintaining healthy habits over the last two years. As well, a very special and heartfelt thank you to our Health Services Team - District Nurse Amy Elliott, R.N., Tracy Thompson R.N., and Brianna Dominach, MSW - for their tireless work in supporting, overseeing, and guiding our district throughout this pandemic.
Sincerely,
Andy Culp, Superintendent