Following Guidance from TEA and UIL, Nixon-Smiley CISD to Continue Face-Covering Requirement
Texas Education Agency (TEA) has issued guidance regarding the Governor’s Executive Order GA-34. After careful consideration of the factors below, Nixon-Smiley CISD will continue its current practice of requiring face coverings for all staff, visitors, and students 10 years and older, at least through April 12th.
· The additional time allows our employees who wish to be vaccinated an opportunity to complete the process.
· Moreover, the guidelines for “close contact” did not change. Therefore, a positive case at school could potentially cause a mass quarantine or even school closure if individuals are not wearing masks.
· Community and staff surveys were approximately 60%-40% in favor of keeping masks.
The Board of Trustees will consider updated data for case counts, guidance on quarantines, and CDC recommendations on April 12th to determine the next steps.
As a reminder, our guidance remains consistent with the original TEA rules:
Every student, teacher, or staff member shall wear a mask over the nose and mouth when inside a school building, school facility, facility used for school activities, or when in an outdoor space on school property or used for school activities, wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household; provided, however, that this mask requirement does not apply to the following:
Ø Any person younger than 10 years of age, except where a school system determines it is developmentally appropriate;
Ø Any person with a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a mask;
Ø Any person while the person is consuming food or drink, or is seated in a dining area to eat or drink;
Ø Any person while the person is: (a) exercising outdoors or engaging in physical activity outdoors; and (b) maintaining a safe distance from other people not in the same household;
Ø Any person while the person is giving a speech for a broadcast or to an audience.