Batavia school district to announce mask, COVID-19 mitigation policies this week

BATAVIA – Batavia Public School District 101 is expected to announce its COVID-19 mitigation plan, which will include the policy on masking, this week.

The district did not announce its mitigation policies at its last Board of Education meeting on July 20.

According to a post on the district’s website, the top priority when making decisions is the health and safety of students and staff. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week that masks should be worn inside schools by all students and staff. The Illinois Department of Public Health’s recommendation for masking in schools is aligned with the CDC’s updated guidance.

“This is a good reminder that guidance will continue to change throughout the school year, and flexibility will be necessary. We do know that the full in-person learning for our students will remain in effect. As stated by the CDC and Illinois State Board of Education, in-person learning is necessary to provide the best quality education to students, and we will strive to preserve it throughout the 2021-2022 school year with heightened safety and health protocols as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic,” the website stated.

The district is encouraging students 12 and over and all district staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the start of the school year, which begins on Aug. 18.