Masks Optional For 2021-'22 School Year In Waukesha

WAUKESHA, WI — Students returning to school this fall will have the option of wearing a face mask, and there will be no COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

The Waukesha Board of Education previously removed most of the COVID-19 mitigation measures on May 12, according to a Waukesha School District memo.

"As a result of this decision, the District did not experience an increase in the number of Covid-19 confirmed cases among students or staff. As of the drafting of this letter, vaccines have been available for educators for nearly four months, and nearly a month for students aged 12 and over," the memo said.

The memo, from early July, said the district will follow a mask optional policy.

• Students will not be required to pre-screen in the mornings.
• The district will not limit classes moving from one room to another.
• Elementary students will have specials (art, music, physical education) in their designated classrooms.
• Visitors and volunteers will again be allowed in the schools.

“We will continue to clean our schools daily to ensure students are returning to school each day to a clean learning environment. Further, we will continue to monitor Covid-19 spread in our schools and community and we will update our website to show the number of students and staff who test positive for Covid-19,” the memo said.

James Sebert, assistant superintendent. told Patch at this time the district doesn't anticipate changing course.

Vaccines

The District Policy Committee discussed vaccinations and testing at its June 15 meeting. The district said it will not require vaccinations to participate in in-person learning or any district-sponsored activities.

The administration will not provide on-site coronavirus testing or on-site vaccination clinics for eligible students.

“As with all vaccinations, we hold that this is a family decision, not a District decision to be vaccinated or to be tested for Covid-19. If families choose to vaccinate, the summer months provide an excellent opportunity due to the two-shot requirement for the vaccine,” the district said.

To support families in their choice to have a learning environment suitable for the family's beliefs or needs, the district is offering face-to-face instruction at all schools. The district has expanded 4-year-old kindergarten at eAchieve so families who prefer virtual learning will have access to a robust learning opportunity in grades 4K-12.

The board's decision appears to be at odds with recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from July 9:

"Vaccination is currently the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Promoting vaccination can help schools safely return to in-person learning as well as extracurricular activities and sports. Masks should be worn indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older) who are not fully vaccinated. Consistent and correct mask use by people who are not fully vaccinated is especially important indoors and in crowded settings, when physical distancing cannot be maintained."