Ann Arbor Public Schools District Offices Tuesday, July 9 2019. - Ann Arbor Public Schools Jenna Kieser | jkieser@mlive.comJenna Kieser | jkieser@mlive.com

ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor Public Schools won’t require wearing face masks inside school buildings for the upcoming school year.

However, masks will be “strongly recommended” indoors when CDC community transmission levels are high. AAPS Superintendent Jeanice Swift said. When at medium levels, masking is encouraged, Swift said, while masks are “welcomed” in levels of low transmission.

“The Ann Arbor Public Schools will always remain a mask-friendly environment,” Swift said. “We understand that masking indoors is an important prevention strategy that many will continue to practice.”

The new policy goes into effect on Aug. 29, the district’s first day of school, with the decision to mask being put in the hands of the individual or family.

Masking will still be required in some situations, Swift said, including when someone is returning from isolation, in preschool classrooms, during clusters or outbreaks, in health care areas like the school nurse’s office and during some health care services, like hearing or vision screenings.

Masking may also be required in other situations, such as when safe school operations are at risk due to staff cases, Swift said.

“We will use a responsive approach this fall, and as circumstances change, such as an increase in cases or outbreaks, classrooms, groups or schools may be required to mask for a period of time, such as two weeks, or until case counts diminish,” Swift said.

For the 2022-23 school year, AAPS students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate at home for five days and may return on days sixth through 10 if they are fever-free for 24 hours; symptoms have significantly improved; and are able to wear a tight-fitting mask indoors through the 10-day period.

The district strongly recommends testing on day five before returning to school on day 6 and continuing isolation until receiving a negative test result.

During clusters or outbreaks, students and staff may be identified as close contacts. However, quarantine is no longer required for close contacts.

Students and staff who have experienced an exposure must wear a well-fitting mask for the 10 days post-last exposure to the individual who tested positive. Close contacts should also test on day five post-exposure, or sooner if symptomatic, and follow isolation guidelines if testing positive, the district noted.

The district may adjust guidance as needed during the school year in response to changing circumstances, including increased cases, outbreaks or concerns impacting health and safety, and to achieve the priority of keeping schools fully open, Swift said.

More detailed AAPS COVID guidance, including links for parents/guardians to report cases, will be posted to the district COVID protocols page by Aug. 26.

An informational AAPS Fall COVID-19 and health guidance information session is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23 via Zoom.

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