Masks will be required at the Jamestown C-1 School following a return to in-person instruction at the end of the month, superintendent Gretchen Guitard announced Friday.
With a decrease in cases impacting staff and students, and thus leading to less cases among the population and the extended impact of staff shortages, Jamestown will return to in-seat instruction as previously planned on Monday, Nov. 30 following the school's Thanksgiving break. Students, teachers and staff will all be required to wear masks throughout the regular school day.
The district plans to take cues from the modified guidance released by Gov. Mike Parson on Nov. 12; in an effort to allow more opportunities for providing in-seat instruction, school districts that adopt a building-wide mask ordinance will have modified guidance regarding the need to quarantine due to an exposure to the coronavirus through close contact. If the person diagnosed with COVID-19 and the close contact were both wearing masks appropriately during the time of exposure in a school setting, the close contact would not need to quarantine in the same fashion as they have thus far.
The guidance defines the school setting as including classrooms, gymnasiums, libraries, playgrounds and buses. It does not exclude individuals who were wearing masks in the classroom setting from being considered close contacts due to their involvement in sports or other extracurricular activities.
In an email message, Guitard said the return to in-person learning is important in fostering a good learning environment for students.
"Our staff, parents, and students are working hard in the virtual learning environment," Guitard said in the email. "However, the importance of in-seat instruction is evident as we experience the effects of an extended school closure."
Administration and staff met with the Moniteau County Health Center last week, making the decision then to adopt the mask ordinance.
Appropriate masks should fit comfortably around the face, and substitutes such as face shields or desk shields won't be classified as alternative options over wearing a standard face mask. Other face coverings, such as neck gaiters, will only be considered appropriate face coverings if they are double-layered.
Guitard said masks will be available in the front office for any students or staff who don't already have one. Students will be able to remove masks during meal times, and the district will continue to provide space for physical distancing during breakfast and lunch shifts.
"As a district, we will continue to work to keep our students and staff healthy and in school," Guitard continued. "Although we hope the modified guidance on mask use and quarantine will allow for in-seat instruction, we will continue to monitor all students and staff for COVID-19 symptoms and follow public health measures."