Jefferson Davis School District will require masks when students return Thursday

Published 12:11 pm Wednesday, August 4, 2021

After a year of virtual learning, the Jefferson Davis School District will utilize a traditional model for instruction for the 2021-2022 school year. The Jefferson Davis County School Board School called a special meeting last week to discuss the use of masks. The Board voted to implement a mask mandate throughout all four campuses.

“After seeing the delta variant/COVID 19 numbers rising and the number of vaccinations going down, the Board of Trustees acted on my recommendation to protect the children, faculty, staff and our ability to achieve in-person learning,” said JDC Superintendent Ike Haynes.

Protective face coverings will be required and must be worn at all times by students, teachers, staff and visitors beginning on the first day of school, Aug. 5.

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The School District suggests masks that have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric, completely cover the nose and mouth, fit snuggly against the sides of your face and don’t have gaps and have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask.

In addition to the masks, the School District has put a plan in place to keep the students as safe as possible as they return to in-person instruction.

It is the District’s recommendation that families use personal transportation to school if possible.

J E Johnson Elementary and Jefferson Davis County High School will share bus routes for those that live in the Prentiss Zone.

For students in the Bassfield Zone, Carver Elementary and Jefferson Davis County High School will share bus routes.

Seats will be assigned and labeled with student names, and members of the same household will be required to sit on the same seat.

Buses will be cleaned and sanitized using a routine schedule and will be equipped with mobile air purifiers that reduce the spread of airborne illnesses.

Each day, students will have their temperature taken upon arrival to school.

Teachers will maintain social distancing in each classroom and classrooms and all common areas will be cleaned and sanitized routinely.

Breakfast and lunch will be served in the classroom or in designated outdoor dining areas and meal schedules and student breaks will be staggered to allow for increased social distancing.

Students are allowed to bring their own clear water bottles, and touchless water dispensers will be located in all schools in multiple locations.

Hand sanitizer will also be available for the students at multiple locations on all campuses.

All extracurricular activities will remain in compliance with CDC, MSDH and the Mississippi High School Activities Association guidelines. Social distancing will be enforced as much as space allows.

The School District strongly encourages all eligible students, teachers and staff over 12 years of age to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

Should a student test positive for COVID-19, they will be excluded from the school setting and remain in isolation for a full 10 days from the onset of symptoms and are fever free for 24 hours.

If school closures become necessary due to an outbreak of COVID-19, virtual learning and hybrid-AA/BB schedules may be utilized to provide instruction and remediation.

Please see the District website at www.jdcsd.com for any updates or additions regarding COVID-19.