(Griswold) The Griswold School Board passed two face mask mandates on Monday evening. Griswold School’s Superintendent Dave Henrichs tells KSOM/KS95 News one motion dealt with school hours, and the other pertains to extra-curricular activities.
The mandate effective on Wednesday, October 7, through the end of the semester, states all students, staff, and visitors wear CDC-approved face coverings while inside school facilities during school days when social distancing is not possible between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. This also pertains to all transportation regardless of the time of day, or whether the school is in session or not. The new mandate also allows for hourly breaks from wearing masks. Families wanting to change from remote learning to in-person or in-person to remote learning have until October 14th to make that decision.
“Evidence shows that proper and consistent wearing masks help slow down the spread of the virus,” stated Henrichs. “Last week the Iowa Department of Public Health released new guidance stating a person testing positive for the virus and a person exposed wore masks then the person exposed wouldn’t have to quarantine if symptoms don’t exist.”
Henrichs said at Griswold on Friday a student tested positive for COVID-19, and over the weekend a staff member tested positive for the virus which impacted about 35-students that had to be quarantined. “If everyone involved were wearing a face covering and no one had symptoms, those 35 students would’ve avoided quarantine, “said Henrichs. “The end result is we have a better chance of keeping our school open, and a better chance of our students being taught in-person.”
The Board also passed a mask mandate for activities. Henrichs says masks are required for participating students and staff both in practices and competition when social distancing is not possible. The exception is football due to the mouth guard requirement. “We believe social distancing is possible during practice and competition so the mandate doesn’t have an impact on football,” said Henrichs. “It does impact players on the bench and other key personnel who will be required to wear a mask while not actively competing.”
The same goes for volleyball. Face coverings aren’t required while competing and required for those sitting on the bench.
