Upstate school districts respond to mask mandate ending in public schools

Students in public schools in South Carolina are not required to wear a mask unless on a school bus, according to the South Carolina Department of Education.The Department announced the decision Wednesday. To read the full story click here. Video below is a DHEC meeting Wednesday where South Carolina Education Superintendent Molly Spearman spoke about the decision. Upstate school districts are responding. We will continue to post updates as we receive them: ANDERSON DISTRICT ONE:”Parents who wish to allow their child(ren) to discontinue wearing masks at school should complete the opt-out form, sign and return to your child(ren) school(s). Beginning Thursday, May 13, children who have a signed opt-out form on file will not be required to wear masks at school. A form must be completed for each child.As noted in the Governor’s Executive Order, face covering requirements as they relate to children and staff on school buses, have not changed due to Federal Executive Order No. 13998. Staff and children must continue to wear a face covering while on a school or activity bus.As a result of this change, school staff and visitors have the option of wearing (or not wearing) a face covering while on school grounds. There is nothing in this Executive Order or in District policy that prevents a child or adult from wearing a mask if they choose to do so.The District realizes these new protocols will create additional questions. We ask for your patience as we prepare to communicate additional information.”ANDERSON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT TWO:”ASD2 has received DHEC’s parental consent form for students to opt out of the face mask requirement. Beginning tomorrow, May 13, parents may complete this consent form and students may submit it to their school’s front office. https://bit.ly/2RgybZ1″ANDERSON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT THREE:”Beginning tomorrow, Thursday, May 13, families may opt-out of the current mask requirements by filling out the following form: https://bit.ly/3uHqObnMasks will still be required for bus transportation as required by the President’s Executive Order No. 13998. Parents are responsible for ensuring students have masks for bus transportation.Current cleaning and social distancing protocols will continue for the remainder of the school year.”ANDERSON SCHOOL DISTRICT 5: “Effective tomorrow all students who return the attached opt-out form will not have to wear a mask at school. Masks still will be required on all school busses, per federal regulations.”Students will turn their form into their first block teacher on campus.https://scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/Library/D-4286.pdf”Thank you for your patience,Walter Mayfield”GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS: Greenville County Schools responded by saying: “The opt out will take effect tomorrow (Thursday, May 13) if the signed/completed form is returned to school by students, dropped off in the front office by parents, or submitted to the principal electronically.”Click here to see the opt-out form.The district went on to say:”Students whose families do not want their children to attend school due to these changes will not be moved into the Virtual Program at this point. We do not have room in that program or time for the transition of grades and instructors. Because we can no longer maintain recommended protocols, we will allow parents to opt for their students to work from home for the remainder of this year, if they submit a request to the principal in writing (email or hard copy) by Monday, May 17.”The removal of the mask mandate impacts students who are still seated in plexiglass pods. Per DHEC requirements, students seated in pods divided by plexiglass who test positive for COVID and do not mask will result in a 10-day quarantine for all other students seated in that pod. If a student in a plexiglass pod tests positive but continues to wear a mask, only unmasked students in the pod will be required to quarantine, per DHEC guidelines. These actions are required by DHEC and are not optional for districts to follow.”Students who are 18 years old can opt out of wearing masks without parental permission.”GCS is continuing to determine the impact of this executive order on employees. At this time, the mask mandate remains in effect for employees.”GREENWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT 50:Following the announcement of Governor McMaster’s Executive Order yesterday afternoon, our district has been in frequent communication with our attorneys throughout the day. We realize that our current pandemic policies do not meet the requirements of the Executive Order issued by the Governor. Our Board of Trustees will hold a Called Meeting tomorrow evening to meet with our attorneys and discuss revisions to our pandemic policies. GREENWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT 52:In response to Governor McMaster’s Executive Order and Superintendent Spearman’s action, Greenwood District 52 intends to follow the guidelines below:1) Parents and legal guardians of students who do not wish to wear a mask may opt-out of the District’s mask policy. Copies of the DHEC waiver can be found on our district website at www.greenwood52.org or at your student’s school. For students whose parents do not complete an opt-out waiver, the mask requirement will stay in effect in accordance with Board Policy ADD-Face Covering.2) Governor McMaster’s Executive Order expressly allows the District to require masks to be worn by employees. Therefore, all Greenwood District 52 employees, visitors, and third-party vendors shall comply with the District’s mask mandate until further notice. Employees and third-party vendors may be subject to disciplinary action for failing to comply with District Board Policy. Only the District’s Board of Trustees can enact, amend, rescind, or revise District Board Policy.3) Students riding buses must continue to wear a mask regardless of whether or not the parent completes a DHEC opt-out waiver.4) Students who refuse to wear a mask in their respective schools without a completed DHEC opt-out waiver and any student riding a bus who refuses to wear a mask may face disciplinary action under the District’s Code of Conduct.We encourage all parents and students to remain vigilant in combatting the ill effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As always, the District will continue to adhere to all public health guidelines and will remain in compliance with local, state, and federal laws.LAURENS DISTRICT 55:According to Superintendent Dr. Ameca Thomas, “Laurens County School District #55 (LCSD 55) received information from the South Carolina Department of Education today notifying us that State Superintendent Molly Spearman has rescinded the state face-covering policy for students. This change applies to our school buildings, but face-coverings remain a requirement on school buses per federal government mandates.”LCSD 55 has also received a standardized opt-out form that must be used unaltered for parental/legal guardian consent for a student to be exempt. The form is available on SCDHEC’s website (https://scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/Library/D-4286.pdf) or via a link on the LCSD 55 website (www.laurens55.org). Copies of the document will also be available in the office at each school. A parent/legal guardian must complete the form and return it to the school.“This change currently applies to students, but we are reviewing our policies regarding staff face-covering requirements. DHEC’s recommendations regarding COVID-19 precautions, including wearing masks, have not changed. Superintendent Spearman and the SCDE continue to urge schools and districts to follow DHEC’s public health guidance as they have throughout the pandemic,” added Thomas. LAURENS DISTRICT 56:”Earlier today, DHEC sent school districts a mask opt-out form for parents to complete if interested, and a hard copy of this form has gone home with all students across the district. The mask opt-out does not apply to school buses. All students riding a bus must continue to wear a mask. However, effective Thursday, May 13th, parents may complete a mask opt-out form that would allow students to not wear a mask during the school day. Parents have the option to complete this consent form and return it to the appropriate school once completed. District 56 is still cleaning regularly, encouraging students to hand wash frequently, and enforcing social distancing protocols. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this change.”OCONEE COUNTY SCHOOLS:Following message was sent from the district:”BEGINNING THURSDAY, MAY 13TH: MASKS WILL BE OPTIONAL IN ALL SDOC SCHOOL BUILDINGS”All other social distancing and cleaning protocols will continue to be in place in all buildings. If you are uncomfortable with this decision, please contact your child’s principal with concerns. PLEASE NOTE: GOV. MCMASTER’S EXECUTIVE ORDER DOES NOT AFFECT SCHOOL BUSES. MASKS WILL STILL BE REQUIRED BY STUDENTS AND STAFF ON SCHOOL BUSES AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL REGULATIONS.”Dr. Michael Thorsland, SDOC superintendent, said, “We were disappointed in the lack of communication and support shown to our schools by the governor with the announcement of his executive order last night. The decision to release this order after school district offices were closed made today a very difficult day for our schools as there was no way for us to be prepared to implement his order today. We appreciate the quick response by the SC Department of Education this morning in rescinding their mask mandate. We understand this decision will cause concern for some in our district. Please be assured that cleaning procedures and all other social distancing protocols will continue to be in place within our schools.”PICKENS COUNTY SCHOOLS: “This morning, school districts in SC received clarity from the State Department of Education (SDE) regarding Governor McMaster’s Executive Order 2021-23, which provides details regarding the use of face coverings in South Carolina public schools.”We received the following communication from the State Department of Education:’Superintendent Spearman has, effective immediately, rescinded the state face covering policy with the exception of the school bus requirement that is now required by the federal government.'”Per this response from the State Department of Education, the School District of Pickens County will no longer require face-coverings for students, employees, and guests when on campus. No DHEC opt-out form will be required.”If a parent chooses for their child to wear a face covering, this is also appropriate. “Buses – Please note, the federal mandate requiring masks on school buses remains in place.”Again, we thank you for your patience and understanding with this matter as we seek to end the 2020-21 school year with a sense of normalcy for our students. Darian ByrdSDPC Communications” SPARTANBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT TWO:”Dear District 2 Families,Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!For the last several months you have shown so much grace and patience as we navigated through a school year unlike any other. Alongside our amazing Teachers, Administrators, and Support Staff, you helped us follow all of the healthcare guidelines that our state leaders recommended and mandated for us to be able to safely provide face-to-face instruction.We are proud to say that Spartanburg 2 was among the first school district’s in the state to offer 5-day, face-to-face instruction. We could not have done that without students that care for one another, the support of our families, a Board of Trustees that cares for kids, and our incredibly dedicated D2 Team. Thank you for trusting in us!On May 11, the governor signed an executive order that allows parents to opt their students out of wearing a mask. On May 12 the State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman rescinded the state face covering policy with the exception of the school bus requirement that is now required by the federal government.As always, Spartanburg 2 respects the decisions of our state leaders and the rights of our families.The link to the DHEC opt out form can be found by clicking here. Please be sure to read the letter carefully before signing and returning it to your student’s school.Again, we thank you for your support and patience.”SPARTANBURG COUNTY DISTRICT 3:”Spartanburg School District Three understands the legal ramifications and requirements of the Governor’s recent executive order to empower parents to opt out of our current mask policy. However, like all other school districts in South Carolina, the Governor’s announcement came as a surprise to us as well.”For the safety of our students and in an effort to make this as cohesive and secure of a transition as possible, we have provided opt-out waivers for families to sign. These have been made immediately available through the Powerschool Parent Portal link. Once you’ve logged in, please click on ‘Forms’ on the left hand side to access the waiver. That link is available for grades 3-12. Hard copies will be sent home to all elementary school students. You can also download your hard copy here to turn into your student’s school.”If you are unable to access the Parent Portal link, there will be hard copies of the opt-out forms at our schools.”This will become effective the day after parents sign either online or in-person. However, masks will still be required for bus transportation as required by the President’s Executive Order No. 13998 (Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel) (Jan. 21, 2021); CDC Order Under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 264) and 42 C.F.R. §§ 70.2, 71.31(b), 71.32(b) (Requirement for Persons to Wear Masks While on Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs) (Jan. 29, 2021).”If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your student’s principal. If you need any assistance with the Parent Portal, please contact the IT department at ITsupport@spartanburg3.org or call 279-6050.”SPARTANBURG COUNTY DISTRICT 4:The District sent the following message to parents, staff and faculty via Facebook Tuesday night: “Dear District Four Family, “Governor McMaster has issued a statement to lift the mask mandate that was previously in place for South Carolina Schools. Effective immediately, masks will be optional for faculty, staff, and students. Based on federal law, masks WILL continue to be required on buses for students and drivers. “Students/Parents will not be required to submit any form or complete any documentation indicating their preference regarding the wearing of masks. It would be impractical to monitor who has turned in a form and who hasn’t. “Thank you to our community for your continued support and prayers. You are the best! Sincerely, Dr. Liston”The district also included further statemen to WYFF News 4: “Masks are optional and students who want to continue to wear one will be allowed to do so.”At this time we are focused on state testing, the closing of the school year, and trying to maintain as much normalcy to students as we can. It is impractical to ask faculty and staff to monitor who has/hasn’t turned in a form- especially at this time of the year.”