Middletown City Schools Requiring Masks District-Wide
Dear Middletown Parents, Guardians, and Staff:
On August 9, 2021, the Butler County General Health District, along with the City of Hamilton Health Department and City of Middletown Health Department, released a joint statement recommending universal masking in K-12 schools.
We know the majority of our students learn best when they are in a classroom setting and we are determined to keep our buildings fully open for them. Due to the strong recommendations by our medical professionals, the Middletown Board of Education determined it is in the best interest of our students and staff that all Middletown City Schools require facial coverings inside our buildings for all K-12 students, staff, and visitors. This requirement will go into effect on Wednesday, August 18, 2021.
The good news is that the latest “Guidelines for Quarantine After Exposure in K-12 Classroom Settings” gives clear guidance for keeping all individuals safely “in the normal in-person classroom setting and participating in extracurricular and sport activities as long as they have no symptoms.”
As outlined in our Safety Protocols, our district will be following the health and cleaning precautions as approved by the City of Middletown Health Commissioner. The plan now includes required face masks for all K-12 students, staff, and visitors while indoors. If all students, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, wear the required face mask, our students can remain in the classroom. Following contact tracing, high risk exposed individuals will not need to quarantine since they will be wearing a face mask during the school day.
As we navigate the beginning of the school year, we ask that you remain flexible and understanding. As our guidance changes, we will revisit our protocols. Please continue to follow all COVID-19 health and safety recommendations from the City of Middletown Health Department, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, all those eligible are urged to get vaccinated. You can locate a vaccine clinic at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
If you have any questions or concerns about procedures, academics, support services or anything else related to the education of your child, please feel free to reach out to your child’s building principal or me (mstyles@middletowncityschools.com).
Sincerely,
Marlon Styles, Jr.
Superintendent
