Masks in schools optional as of March 1

As of Tuesday, March 1, face masks will be optional for students in Fairfax County Public Schools.

That’s the date a state law takes effect giving parents the authority to determine if their child should wear a mask or not.

In a Feb. 25 message, FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand wrote: “We continue to be concerned about the health of our Fairfax community and strongly recommend that all students continue to participate in universal masking for the protection of students and staff with health concerns.”

There will be several exceptions to the optional mask policy. Universal masking will continue to be required for students:

• On school buses and vans.
• During off-campus activities, such as field trips, where masks are required by the venue.
• In Head Start.
• Attending school on days six to 10 of a quarantine. (Families who do not want their student to wear a mask on these days will need to complete the full 10-day quarantine at home.)
• Participating in Test to Stay.

According to Brabrand, “Teachers and school staff will not treat students differently based on their choice. This includes seating arrangements in classrooms, cafeterias, or other gathering spaces.”

Related story: An early win for school boards in mask mandate suit

He advises families of special needs children who might need additional consideration for health reasons to work with their IEP (individualized education program) or Section 504 team.

All adults, including staff, visitors, and volunteers must continue to wear a mask on school property.

Under the school system’s roll-back plan, various measures related to the Covid prevention strategy will take effect when the community reaches a “moderate” level of transmission and stays there for seven consecutive days.

This week, the community transmission level dropped from “high” to “substantial,” Brabrand said. “We anticipate we could be at or very close to ‘moderate’ community transmission as early as next week.”

Meanwhile, the CDC issued new guidelines Feb. 25 relaxing mask recommendations for counties with low levels of transmission based on hospitalization metrics. Fairfax County is in that category.

The Test to Stay pilot program allows students to remain in school as long as they test negative for the first five days following a close contact exposure. Test to Stay will remain available at seven pilot schools, including Glasgow Middle School and Bailey’s Elementary School.

Related story: Schools try Test to Stay program

Beginning March 14, Test to Stay will be available at every school if there is an outbreak.

A statement by the school board says, “We strongly recommend that parents/guardians continue to have their children wear masks in school.” 

The school board has concerns about the constitutionality of the law giving parents the right to opt out of the mask mandate. “This law leaves local school divisions no flexibility to address future public health emergencies,” the board states.

“We encourage our community to continue to follow the guidance of health officials, particularly for the benefit of our immunocompromised students and staff,” the board statement continues. “We must continue to work together to keep our schools safe and open for all.”