JACKSON, Wyo. — Students attending Teton County School District #1 can leave their masks at home when they return from winter break on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.
The policy is outlined in the “TCSD Smart Start & In-person Learning Plan”, effective Jan.1, 2022.
According to the plan, most recently updated by the TCSD Board of Trustees on Nov. 10, 2021, TCSD #1 will follow town, county, and state health orders.
“The decision to wear masks is not taken lightly and will be made following input from the state and county health officers with a careful review of the community transmission and CDC guidance,” states the plan.
The current countywide health order requiring face coverings in certain settings is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2021.
“It is our intent at least, as of Jan. 1 the requirement for face coverings would go away,” TCSD #1 Board of Trustees Chair Keith Gingery said during the Nov. 10 meeting.
Teton County Health Officer Travis Riddell recently shared his intent to not seek out another mask mandate following the expiration of the current order. On Dec. 20, Riddell signed a recommendation, in lieu of an order encouraging anyone over two to wear masks in public settings regardless of vaccination status.
The Board moved a motion during their Nov. 1o meeting to align the school district’s masking policy with town, county, and state health orders rather than creating their own guidelines.
The Board intends to continue to revisit the Smart Start Plan monthly.
“The concept was that by the end of December, people who wanted to have their children vaccinated had the opportunity to do so,” Gingery said during the meeting.
According to TCSD, as of Dec. 3, students will not be required to quarantine if they are symptom-free and have proof of being fully vaccinated, have an antibody test within the last 90 days or have a positive test result within the last 90 days.
If symptoms are present, after exposure, students will be required to stay home and test or stay home and wait for symptoms to resolve.
TCSD is asking students to submit their COVID-19 vaccinations cards to the school nurses to avoid unnecessary quarantines.
