New Albany school board makes masks optional for all students, staff after winter break

Gary Seman Jr., ThisWeek
·1 min read

A segment of students and staff in New Albany-Plain Local Schools will continue to mask up through Dec. 17, when winter break starts.

But when students return Jan. 4, masks will be optional and self-directed unless otherwise ordered by local, state or federal government officials.

Second-grade teacher Jennifer Thompson goes through a lesson with her students Sept. 15 at New Albany Primary School. The New Albany-Plain Local Schools Board of Education decided face masks worn by students and staff in prekindergarten through sixth grade will be optional upon return from winter break Jan. 4.
Second-grade teacher Jennifer Thompson goes through a lesson with her students Sept. 15 at New Albany Primary School. The New Albany-Plain Local Schools Board of Education decided face masks worn by students and staff in prekindergarten through sixth grade will be optional upon return from winter break Jan. 4.

The NAPLS school board on Nov. 15 adopted a resolution extending the use of masks indoors until winter recess for all students and staff in prekindergarten through sixth grade.

Masks remain voluntary for students and staff in grades seven through 12.

School board member Paul Naumoff said the district has made significant progress in getting all students, including 5- through 11-year-olds, vaccinated against COVID-19.

The time on break will give students and family members another opportunity to get their second shots, Naumoff said.

"Based upon those facts, we feel comfortable with everybody coming back with mask-optional," he said.

Effective Dec. 18, all students, families, faculty, staff and community members may voluntarily wear masks when on NAPLS property unless otherwise ordered, the board directive stated.

There are a few exceptions, such as a federal order still requiring masks on school transportation through Jan. 18 and board-adopted measures such as social-distancing and other prevention strategies.

No other changes were made to the health and safety protocols updated Oct. 25.

Nationwide Children's Hospital has been working with New Albany-Plain Local Schools on vaccination efforts for students age 5 and older, said Gina Bericchia, spokesperson for the hospital.

"We follow (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommendations, which currently recommend masking indoors, but each school district will have to work with their local health department on guidelines," Bericchia added.

gseman@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekGary

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: New Albany school board makes masks optional for all students, staff after winter break