CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Public Schools has extended its mask policy requiring facial coverings to be worn inside CPS schools for another school year.

The school board unanimously voted earlier this month to continue its universal mask mandate from the last school year. That means regardless of vaccination status, all students, teachers and staff must wear a mask when inside a CPS school building or facility.

The rules are in effect during the school day and during after-school programs, athletics, and extracurriculars. During lunch and times when masks have to be taken off, CPS will enforce at least 3 feet of social distancing. 

Facial coverings are not required in outdoor spaces. Masks are required on school buses and Metro buses as part of a federal mandate.

The first day of classes at most CPS schools is Thursday, Aug. 19. 

"So glad that CPS continued their mandate. With a majority of kids unvaccinated and at least one-third of staff, it seems like the best chance to having a 'normal' school year," said Patty Lee, the parent of an eighth- and a 10th-grader at the School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA).

Teresa Hoelle's daughter Elina will start at Parker Woods Montessori School. It's her first time going to school.

"(My daughter) is 3-and-a-half, so I am understandably worried. She struggles with keeping her mask on but we will try to work together and collaborate," Hoelle said.

Hoelle said she's been emailing teachers and administrators in the weeks leading up to the school year.

"I told them they are in my thoughts as they navigate and prepare for the year ahead," she said. "I hope the collective learning and shared patience can help us all move forward together as a community." 

Mike Moroski, a CPS board member, said with the exception of a few changes, the policy for 2021-22 is an extension of what was in place last school year and this summer. But given some of the current events, the board felt a resolution on the matter would help clarify a few things. 

Late last month the Ohio Department of Health said it would not issue a mandate on masking in schools. Instead, it left the decision-making up to the individual districts.

Some will require masks, while others are just strongly suggesting them.

Mason City Schools, for example, decided against making teachers and students wear masks. That happened despite receiving a letter signed by 103 local physicians asking the district to do so. 

"There are so many questions and so many news stories about other districts, it felt important to have a resolution and document that we are not changing our policy, you have to wear a mask," Moroski said.

The most significant protocol change for CPS is its close contact policy. 

Last year, if a student was in close contact with a person at school who had tested positive for COVID, the school sent them home to quarantine. Now, they'll only have to do so if they're experiencing COVID symptoms. 

"We were making kids go home for a couple of weeks if they were in close contact with someone with COVID-19. We’re not gonna do that anymore," Moroski said. "Our goal is to keep kids in school." 

There will be no temperature checks this year. CPS is getting rid of the staggered bus arrival and departure schedule as well. They'll also welcome back volunteers and visitors.

The district plans to let students go on field trips and authorize work-related travel for staff, assuming conditions remain the same.

"We are going to allow students and teachers to share materials. So, a kid can now share a pencil with their friend again," Moroski said. 

The debate always comes back to the need for masks though.

When things seemed to be improving, some restrictions started to lift. But now there's an uptick in severe cases due to the Delta variant and there's still no vaccine for children under 12.

Moroski said he has heard some parents state that they don’t feel comfortable sending their child back to school in the current environment. Reasons range from a lack of vaccinations for children to parents not wanting their child to wear a mask. 

“While wearing a mask may be an inconvenience, I think it’s a relatively small inconvenience that has the potential to mitigate some real risk," he said.

CPS called in-person learning "the best option" for most students because it offers "a richer academic experience and better social-emotional support." 

The only remote-learning option through CPS is the Cincinnati Digital Academy, which is offered every year.

Moroski said the CPS board will continue to monitor the situation and evaluate their policies as the year goes on.

Tom Treer said he trusts CPS. He has "no concerns" with his son heading back to Parker Woods Montessori.

"He wore it last year and he didn't mind either way. It's just another day at school. He is happy and ready to go back — mask or no mask," he said.

You can find more information on CPS' safety plan on its website.