Will Masks Be Required In Lakewood Schools? New Policy Announced

LAKEWOOD, OH — Some students will be required to wear masks in the Lakewood Schools, while others will have the option to go maskless.

The district announced Friday that students in preschool through 5th grade will have to wear masks in school buildings, except when eating. All other students and staff will have the option to wear masks, though masks are strongly recommended for unvaccinated people.

Masks will be required on school buses, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mandates.

Here is the district's 2021-2022 school year safety policies:

• Masks required for students grades PreK-5 and strongly recommended for unvaccinated students grades 6-12 and for unvaccinated staff.
• 3-foot physical distancing when possible
• Hand sanitizer available in every classroom
• Cleaning supplies to sanitize work areas will be available throughout the day
• Bottle-filling stations on all water fountains. Students should bring a water bottle to school.
• One-way hallways/stairwells when possible
• In addition to their daily/weekly checklist, custodial staff to use daily log for facility/restroom cleaning/disinfecting of high touch surfaces using CDC/EPA-approved disinfectants throughout all shifts
• HVAC modifications: reduction of recirculated air, increase of outside air supply & installation of higher MERV-rated air filters.

If a student or staff member shows signs of illness, here is the district's protocol:

• If a student or employee displays COVID-19 symptoms at school or during work, he/she will immediately report to the building’s health center where they will be assessed by our nurse or health aide.
• The student or employee will leave campus if COVID is suspected and be recommended to seek medical attention.
• If a student becomes ill during the school day, a parent/guardian must pick up their child from school.
• The custodial team will begin disinfection procedures.
• If a person displays a symptom/s of COVID-19 they should be isolated at home and contact their physician to determine if testing is necessary.
• All positive cases are to be reported to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) by the physician, testing agency or school district as required.
• If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you must inform your school office. You may return to school/work when the quarantine period has been completed. Please report positive COVID cases on our Student COVID Reporting Form. The form will reside on the front page of our website throughout the year.

Superintendent Maggie Niedzwiecki said the policies will be re-evaluated Sept. 17, 2021. For families uncomfortable with sending their students back into classrooms, the district will offer an eLearning option.

"As we know, conditions related to COVID constantly change. Although our re-assessment is planned for the end of the quarter, we may need to alter the plan at any time, including before the school year begins. If that is the case, we will adjust and adapt as we have done throughout the pandemic," she said.

Ohio legislators and Gov. Mike DeWine barred schools from requiring students or staff from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, until the vaccines receive full approval from the Food and Drug Administration. All three COVID-19 vaccines — from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson — were granted emergency approval, but not full approval.

"Through our vaccination clinic held for staff last spring, more than 80% of our staff have been vaccinated. We also held a clinic for those students 16 and up in May. For those families with students 16 and older who remain unvaccinated, we encourage you to consider vaccination. It is the best way to keep our community safe," Niedzwiecki said.