OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
What does the Colleton County School District Mask Mandate require?
Colleton County School Board of Trustees voted on August 17 to suspend Temporary Policy ADD and instructed staff to implement a face covering/mask requirement effective immediately for staff, students, and visitors in and at all school district facilities and on district transportation through October 19.
This decision was made in consideration of the spread of the extremely contagious COVID-19 delta variant and following recommendations released by state and federal public health authorities.
Are face shields acceptable substitute for a face mask?
No. Face shields are not an acceptable substitute for face masks.
What should I do if someone in my home tests positive for COVID-19, or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19?
Please contact your child’s school nurse immediately and do not send your child to school. Further guidance will be given by the school nurse.
What are the consequences of not wearing a mask on district properties and on district transportation?
Students, staff, and visitors will be given a mask to wear if they do not bring a mask with them to school, and will be reminded of the mask mandate.
Does the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control ‘Mask Opt-Out’ form (released May of 2021) counteract this mandate?
The SCDHEC ‘Mask Opt-Out’ form was tied to South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster’s Executive Order 2021-23, which was implemented during a state of emergency. That executive order has since expired, and the Opt-Out form is no longer valid.
Will students/staff/visitors be denied access to school buildings and offices if they do not wear a mask?
Students, staff, and visitors seeking entrance to CCSD facilities will be required to wear a face covering in order to enter.
Will students have to wear masks during recess/outdoor activities?
Students will not be required to wear a mask during recess or when participating in outdoor activities. If students are in close proximity with each other during outdoor activities, it is recommended that they wear a mask.
Will students have to wear masks while eating or drinking?
While actively eating or drinking, students will not be required to wear a mask. During meals the district will take measures to promote social distancing between students.
What other COVID-19 mitigation measures have been put in place in Colleton County Schools?
Protecting our staff and students while providing fully in-person instruction remains CCSD’s top priority. In order to keep our school facilities as safe as possible as the district returns to school, CCSD continue to utilize the following practices:
• We will encourage district employees and students to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. We will work with regional healthcare providers to schedule vaccine clinics that can be hosted in our facilities.
• Desk shields/barriers have been placed in all of our school classrooms, and additional desk shields have been ordered.
• Schools and buses will be cleaned daily, and comprehensively disinfected once per week.
• Air purifiers will be placed in all CCSD classrooms.
• Students and visitors will undergo temperature checks upon entering district properties.
• Social distancing will be enforced on district properties when possible.
• Students and staff members will be encouraged to regularly wash their hands and practice other sanitation techniques.
• Water fountains will not be in operation on district properties, but the water bottle filler stations placed at schools will still be in use. We ask that all students and staff bring water bottles with them to school so they can use the bottle filler stations. Students will be eating in their school cafeterias where possible.
Does Colleton County School District offer COVID-19 testing?
Yes, for symptomatic students and staff. Please contact your child’s school nurse for more information. There is no cost for receiving a test.
What is Colleton County School District’s plan for continuing instruction if cases rise to high levels in schools?
Colleton County School District will continually and closely monitor the spread of COVID-19 within our community and schools in order to determine if a transition to virtual learning is needed.
Is there a virtual learning option for Colleton County students?
Yes, but all virtual options are currently closed. Colleton County students from grades 4 – 8 were given the opportunity to participate in the Lowcountry Education Consortium Virtual Academy, and high school students were able to register for SC Virtual.
What is Colleton County School District’s protocol for student/staff COVID-19 exposure?
Colleton County School District continues to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control as it relates to COVID-19 exposure.
Who should I contact if I have questions or concerns about COVID-19?
Please contact your child’s school or email your questions to covid@colleton.k12.sc.us.
Thank you for reading this document, and please know that we appreciate our community’s support during this very difficult time.
