Masks Required For Younger Students In Solon Schools

SOLON, OH — Some Solon students and staff will have to wear masks indoors to start the school year, while others will merely be asked to don masks, the district announced.

District officials will constantly monitor COVID-19 conditions in both Solon and Glenwillow and use that data to determine school policies for masking and other health protocols, a Solon Schools spokesperson told Patch.

When the school year starts, students and staff in the preschool program and kindergarten through 6th grade will be required to wear masks indoors. Visitors and volunteers to buildings housing these students will also be required to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

Students with medical conditions preventing them from wearing a mask will need to submit a note from their health care provider, the district said in a letter to families.

Masks will be strongly recommended, but not required, for students and staff in grades 7-12, the district announced. Visitors and volunteers will also be asked to wear masks, regardless of their vaccination status.

students and staff will not need to wear masks outdoors during the school day.

Anyone who rides a school bus will have to wear a mask while aboard, per CDC guidelines for public transportation (which includes school buses).

"Based on family decisions, nearly all of our students will be in-school with us in-person this year. Our goal is to keep them in school. All of our plans for determining masking requirements focus on maintaining in-person learning," the district said in a statement.