The Ottawa-Carleton School Board informs parents, students and staff about the new policy, after the board approved a proposal on Tuesday afternoon to require all staff, from Kindergarten to 12th graders, to volunteers and visitors to wear masks in schools. “We know there are many different views in the community about mask commands. This can lead to difficult discussions and can sometimes affect relationships,” Education Director Camille Williams-Taylor said in a statement to parents. “A school is a matter of community and relationships. We ask for your help to respect the mandate, to respect each other and to keep our focus on student learning.” Williams-Taylor says there will be exceptions to the mandatory mask requirements, such as:
Masks can continue to be removed by people while eating or drinking actively Masks are not required to be worn outside, but are encouraged When a student receives support for a learning need that would prevent them from using a mask, the masks can be removed during this intervention Students can remove masks when engaging in more intense physical activity in physical education or sports Staff working alone, ie offices or classrooms, may remove their masks
Williams says the Ottawa-Carleton District School Committee will approach the implementation of the mandatory mask command from a learning perspective.
“We recognize that there will be cases of non-compliance,” Williams-Taylor said. “When a student without exception refuses to comply with the coverage requirements, staff are encouraged to show understanding, promote awareness and use trauma-informed practices to try to understand the reason for the non-compliance and to see if a solution can be reached. “ If a student refuses to comply with the required mask requirements, schools will contact the parents / guardians either to help the student meet the mask requirements or to apply for an exemption from the coverage requirement. Williams-Taylor says the school board has the legal power to enforce a mandatory mask law for health and safety reasons. The board will not use suspensions or expulsions to enforce coverage requirements. “We anticipate that the majority of students will comply. However, we respect that some families may request housing / exemption,” Williams-Taylor said. “It’s important that everyone respects the rights and choices of others. The best strategy to protect your child is to make sure he or she is wearing a mask and fully vaccinated, to do proper hand washing, to complete a daily self-examination and to you restrict socializing outside of school. “ The doctor in charge of health Dr. Vera Etches has encouraged employers to encourage mask commands to help control transmission. “Employers have a role to play. I really appreciate that the school board and other employers are thinking about how they can enhance indoor mask use because it adds another level of protection,” Etches told CTV News in an interview. Six. Students are not required to wear a mask on school buses.
