Orange County Public School Superintendent makes face masks mandatory for students and employees

Back to School 2021

From Staff Reports and OCPS

Orange County Public School Superintendent Dr. Barbara M. Jenkins has made the use of face masks for students and employees mandatory heading into the 2021-22 school year. The requirement will be in effect for the first 30 days of the school year.

In a statement on the OCPS website, the policy states:

"School Board Policy EBBA makes face coverings optional for the 2021-22 school year, however, under the delegated authority granted to Superintendent Jenkins in that policy, face masks are now mandatory for all OCPS students and employees. Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of students and employees, and after consultation with health experts and school board members, Dr. Jenkins implemented required face masks for all students unless the parent chooses to opt-out of the requirement.

OCPS Superintendent Dr. Barbara M. Jenkins

Opting out means sending a simple note with your child on the first day of school such as “I am opting out of the face mask requirement for (child’s name)” with your signature. The student may give the note to the teacher. This mandate is effective for 30 days, beginning Tuesday, August 10th.

All visitors entering buildings, including volunteers, vendors, parents, and guardians will also be required to wear a mask. This extra layer of mitigation will provide some protection to employees and students as we continue to monitor community trends in consultation with medical experts.

We will continue to monitor the situation with our local experts and make a determination about how to proceed before the 30 days have expired."

To read the new state face mask rule, go here.