As students, teachers and staff prepare to return to in-person learning for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year, NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) has updated its COVID-19 guidance protocols for schools and families.
A major step forward for the school system is that fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear a mask inside school buildings.
NOLA-PS’ new guidance measures include the following changes:
● Schools may allow students and staff members that are fully vaccinated to remove masks while in the school facility.
o Masks are not required for any student or staff member while outdoors.
o Schools will verify the vaccination status of all students and staff members requesting the ability to remove masks.
● No maximum capacity number for classrooms, schools are required to follow social distancing needs.
● Daily temperature checks are no longer required.
● Students can dine in their school cafeterias, as long as they continue to use the same social distancing model they use in their classrooms.
● School buses will operate at full occupancy with the additional precaution of required masking for all riders, regardless of vaccine status, and seating charts.
These new guidelines are in line with federal, state, and local health agency recommendations.
The complete list of guidelines can be seen here.
“It will be so liberating for our students 12 and older and staff, who are fully vaccinated, not to have to wear a mask. So, we’re doing everything we can to make sure it’s easy for our students and their families to get their shots,” said NOLA-PS Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr.
“Our new guidance will help our students once again enjoy being with their teachers and peers. We know our classrooms are where they are safest and strongest, socially, physically, and emotionally, as they continue to develop and thrive.”
