Radnor Township School District Watching Mask, Other Guidance

RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA — Radnor Township School District's superintendent told the community on Sunday that the District recognized the importance of in-person education and will be reviewing guidance in the next two weeks.

"As a result of a global pandemic, we have grown accustomed to ever-changing and competing guidance from multiple sources. Thankfully, all the guidance this year supports and recognizes the importance of in-person education for our students. We will continue to review all the guidance and provide our community with an update the week of Aug. 16 as to how this new guidance, or any additional guidance we may receive, will impact Radnor schools," RTSD Superintendent Dr. Ken Batchelor said in a statement to parents and guardians.

Based on current federal transportation requirements, all RTSD students riding school busses will be required to mask this fall, regardless of vaccination status and age, Batchelor's statement said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided new national recommendations the last week of July. The new guidance recommends that all students and staff wear masks indoors regardless of their vaccination status when the community has substantial or high rates of transmission of COVID-19, the superintendent explained.

Find more about the CDC recommendations here and here.

"As we continue to focus on the health and safety of students and staff, our recommendations for the fall will consider many factors," Batchelor said. Factors and guidance considered will include: Federal, State, and Local guidance, medical guidance, vaccination rates in the community, and transmission rates.

The District will consider how to provide an optimal educational experience for students, Batchelor said. Also considered will be the experience last year and the School District's ability to successfully mitigate virus spread.

Anyone who would like to provide feedback as the District develops its recommendations may email radnor@rtsd.org with suggestions, insight, and perspectives for the fall.

Students return to school on Sept. 8 in Radnor Township School District.

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