McDowell County Schools issued the following announcement on Feb. 24.
Since our last communication, the state guidelines on quarantines and contact tracing were changed by the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services. This is the agency that holds jurisdiction over how schools are to operate during the pandemic. As a result of the reduced restrictions, the Board of Education voted to make face coverings optional in all McDowell County Schools facilities for students, staff, and visitors effective Monday, February 21. We welcome individuals to continue wearing face coverings as they see fit and encourage each family to make an informed personal decision that works best for them.
Please note that face coverings for all bus occupants remains mandatory. This is in accordance to federal guidelines. Students need to make sure they have their preferred face covering when they board the bus and keep it on for the duration of the ride. Our drivers need and appreciate your assistance and cooperation with this matter.
We are excited to see the COVID-19 numbers falling rapidly in our community but still need your help by making sure anyone who is positive or displaying symptoms stays out of school until the appropriate time to return. Let’s continue to be good neighbors as COVID-19 navigation goes on for all of us.
While I am sure you will all miss the regular Friday and Sunday phone calls each week, you can rest assured that we will still be watching our numbers and monitoring COVID-19 as long as necessary to help ensure we can maintain the operation of our schools.
Original source can be found here.
