(WJW) – Several local school districts are giving some updates on their COVID-19 protocols as Ohio continues to battle the omicron variant.
Akron Public Schools
The Akron Public School District aligned with recommendations from the Ohio Department of Health when students returned to the classroom on Jan. 4. The director of ODH recommends a continued focus on vaccines, as well as COVID testing, masking and monitoring symptoms to keep everyone safe while returning to school.
Avon Lake City Schools
The Avon Lake City School District will be lifting its mask mandate for PK-12 students at the end of the day on Friday, Jan. 28. Students and staff are still highly recommended to wear masks while in school buildings but won’t be required. Masks will still be required on school buses. All other COVID protocols will remain in place.
Berea City Schools
The Berea City School District is continuing its mandatory masks for students, staff and visitors through Jan. 28. Masks will be required in all district buildings. Masks are also required on school transportation.
Brecksville – Broadview Heights City Schools
The Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District is requiring everyone to wear masks in district buildings starting Jan. 3. Everyone must remain masked until Jan. 28.
Brooklyn City Schools
The Brooklyn City School District is requiring all students and staff to wear masks while indoors when they came back from winter break. The district recognizes that some students may be unable to wear masks during the school day for medical or developmental reasons. Anyone with questions should contact their student’s principal.
Garfield Heights City Schools
Students and staff in the Garfield Heights City School District will wear masks until at least April 1 to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The district will continue monitoring data and communicate any changes to its safety protocols.
Independence Local Schools
As the district sees a significant drop school-based COVID cases, Independence Local Schools has ended some short-term restrictions like its mask mandate and requiring meetings to be held virtually. The district still highly recommends that students and staff wear masks. Only health students and staff should attend school
Mansfield City Schools
Students in grades 7-12 at Mansfield Senior High and Mansfield Middle School returned to in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 24 and all students, staff and visitors must wear masks through the month of January.
North Ridgeville City Schools
Beginning with their January return to school, all students and staff are required to wear appropriate facial coverings while in all district buildings and on all school-provided transportation. This guideline is in place until Jan. 28. The district will communicate any adjustments as needed.
Parma City School District
Beginning Monday, Jan. 3, the school district said all students and staff members must wear masks in all school and school-related activities and facilities. “We recognize and respectfully acknowledge that some of our families will not appreciate this protocol. However, we are erring on the side of research and strong guidance from many leading public health entities, including, most recently, the Ohio Hospital Association and Ohio Children’s Hospital Association.” Read more, here.
Ravenna School District
The district is requiring everyone to wear masks while in school buildings or using school transportation. Continue to social distance when and where possible, and wash or sanitize your hands frequently.
Solon City Schools
The Solon City School District continued mandating masks when students returned Jan. 3. All students and staff must wear masks while indoors unless actively eating or drinking. The district will also intensify masking during lunch periods and require masks for extracurricular activities.
Strongsville City Schools
The Strongsville City School district ended its mask mandate on Jan. 18, but students and staff are still highly encouraged to wear masks in school buildings. They are still required on school buses.
