With respect to Fall 2021 Health and Safety practices, FCPS will continue to follow the guidance put forth by clinical researchers and medical providers from the CDC, VDH, and the FCHD to ensure the safest classrooms possible. This will include FCPS’ pending face covering (mask) requirements.

Yesterday, the Virginia Departments of Health and Education released new guidance for PreK-12 schools for the upcoming school year. They are also giving each school division the ability to implement local mask policies based upon public health conditions and recommendations. 

Based on recent recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Virginia state guidance currently recommends that school divisions adopt the following practices for the 2021-2022 school year:

• Elementary schools should implement a requirement that students, teachers, and staff wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, until a vaccination is available for children under 12 years old and there has been sufficient time to allow for children younger than 12 years old to be fully vaccinated.
• At a minimum, middle and high schools should implement a requirement that students, teachers, and staff who are not fully vaccinated wear masks indoors. While school divisions regularly confirm school-required immunization records of their students, they should consult with their legal counsel to determine if, and how, to confirm student and staff COVID-19 vaccinations.
• All schools may want to consider universal masking for specific reasons as outlined in certain circumstances by the CDC.
• All schools should be prepared to adjust local mask policies as local public health conditions evolve throughout the year.

The CDC federal order requiring masks be worn on public transportation remains in effect, and applies to buses operated by Virginia public schools.

FCPS’s Family Guide for Back to School provides an overview of FCPS’s back-to-school plans. The Student Health and Safety Document is continually updated and provides detailed information on school policies and protocols related to COVID-19 such as adherence to layered mitigation strategies. These guidance documents will continue to be updated to align with public health guidance.