The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) have released new guidance regarding face coverings. The guidance is optional, and ODE and OHA have stated that individual school districts may continue to require masks universally at all times.
The McMinnville School District will proceed as follows:
Indoors & outdoors at school during school hours
MSD will continue to require face coverings for all students and staff during the school day, whether they’re inside or outside a school building, or whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated – including outdoor PE, outdoor music, recess, arrivals and dismissals. Students and staff may remove their masks during approved eating times or taking an approved mask break, as outlined in the Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance. In addition, we will continue to practice physical distancing to the maximum extent possible.
(Note that staff members can be unmasked when outdoors if no students are present and they are at least six feet from other staff. Staff members can be unmasked indoors if they are working in a singular office or behind a closed door. District Office staff will continue to follow the same rules as school sites.
Why? With less than four weeks remaining in the school year, we believe staying the course provides our students and staff with needed consistency and predictability. From an operational perspective, it results in the least amount of disruption. As a district, we have had very few COVID-positive cases with masking requirements in place. We want to finish the school year strong and healthy.
Outdoor sports and activities during non-school hours
In accordance with new guidance from the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA), OHA, and ODE, students, staff, volunteers and spectators are NOT required to wear face coverings at outdoor events – including sporting events, graduations, marching band and choir practices and performances – during non-school hours. Physical distancing of at least six feet should be maintained to the maximum extent possible. Capacity restrictions in conjunction with the county risk level apply. Yamhill County is currently classified as “High Risk.”
Indoor sports and activities during non-school hours
While organizations can choose to waive the mask requirement for fully vaccinated individuals, they must have a system for verifying vaccination and we simply do not have the staff capacity to ensure this verification system at each venue and contest. Therefore, masks will still be required of everyone attending an indoor sport or activity during non-school hours.
Please know that we are doing everything we can to adhere to changing guidance, while prioritizing the health and safety of students, staff and visitors to our schools and events. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
May 25, 2021