Iowa City schools to require masks for students, staff this fall
Lang
7/1/20
Iowa City community schools will require masks or other protective face gear for students and staff when classes resume next month.
That’s according to a PDF sent out by the district on Tuesday. The 15-page file, titled “Return to Learn”, details how the Iowa City Community School District plans to return to in-person classes for the 2020-2021 school year after cancelling classes at the end of last school year due to COVID-19.
Under the subsection “Health and Safety”, the plan explains that all students and staff are required to wear a face mask or shield while attending school or participating in school activities. Certain circumstances, such as a medical condition, may allow for exceptions.
Procedures for frequent handwashing will be developed and posted throughout district buildings.
Classrooms will be arranged to allow for social distancing, when possible.
There will also be a plan for regular cleaning of district sites.
Guidelines are being developed for busing, although the district admits proper social distancing on buses will be impossible due to number of riders who use the service.
The district is also developing a plan for if the district is forced to switch from in-person classes to in-home remote learning.
Earlier this week, the Iowa Department of Education released guidelines that allow schools to reopen to normal activities as of July 1st without health checks before entering the building, no required face coverings and no required social distancing. But the department gave local districts the leeway to set their own standards.
More information about the Iowa City plan can be found on the district’s web site: iowacityschools.org