Kent ISD issued the following announcement on Aug 5.
Today, following updated guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC, and the local health department, the superintendents of KISA agreed upon following for the start of school. See the link below for the full statement.
As the beginning of the school year approaches, superintendents of the districts throughout Kent ISD are in constant contact with local and state health agencies to monitor the spread and conditions associated with the COVID-19 virus. Student and staff safety are our top priority. All school leaders believe in-person learning is most effective for all students’ academic success and social-emotional wellbeing, and are planning for face-to-face instruction when school opens.
According to health experts, the safe and effective vaccines available to all individuals 12 years of age and older provide the greatest protection from COVID-19. At this time, all health authorities recommend vaccination for those who are eligible and following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for face masks. The CDC recommends universal masking for all students and staff in schools regardless of vaccination status to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This recommendation was recently instituted in response to the Delta variant, which is significantly more contagious than prior variants.
CDC guidance mirrors the guidance of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) recently met with superintendents to encourage the use of masks within schools at all grade levels. Please understand these are recommendations, which ask all to take appropriate precautions to protect the safety of students and staff within our schools. They are not public health orders, which we would be required to enforce. While districts strongly encourage following the recommendations, parents may choose what they feel is best for their child. Please know the CDC still mandates masks for all school bus drivers and passengers.
Thank you for your partnership. We will continue to work with public health officials and make necessary adjustments based on CDC, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and KCHD guidance to keep students, staff and families safe.
Original source can be found here.
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