Mask Protocol

  • Wylie ISD will comply with all health and safety recommendations established by the Governor, the health department, and the Texas Education Agency. In Wylie ISD, we are requiring that all 5th through 12th graders wear a mask at this time. It is highly recommended that students in prekindergarten through 4th grade wear a mask, as well.

    Wylie ISD will continue to seek guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. These standards are subject to change. We will keep you updated. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your campus administrator.

    Face Coverings

    Face coverings will be allowed to be worn in school. They must follow the guidelines below to be worn at school or at school activities:

    • No bandanas will be allowed as face coverings.
    • Pictures, emblems, or writings are allowed as long as they do not depict violence or are lewd, vulgar, or obscene in nature.
    • Face coverings must not advertise or depict tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or any other prohibited substance.
    • Any mask that in the administration’s judgment may reasonably be expected to cause disruption or interference with normal school operations is prohibited.
    • Face coverings should be worn as intended and should not cover eyes.

    The Impact of Wearing a Mask

    If a student or teacher tests positive:

    Students/Teacher
    Distanced 6ft Continuously and Consistently Masked    		 Students/Teacher
    In close proximity and/or unmasked
    • Lab Confirmed positive student /teacher isolates for 10 days minimum; pivots to on-line as symptoms permit
    • Monitor Class(es) for symptoms
    • Contact Tracing of cohort members, bus peers, supporting staff or teacher that may have had close contact but less than 15 minutes to monitor closely including daily temperature check for 14 days

    The following would need to quarantine:

    • Class(es) with an identified positive case (all class periods)
    • Teacher(s)/ support staff working with identified student /teacher (this includes teachers on grade level teams, or same departments if teams do not practice social distancing and mask protocols)
    • All students in cohorts (classes that partnered)
    • If a student rides the bus - fellow bus riders
    • Any other contacts (clubs, activities, sports, lunch peers)

    504 Considerations

    There may be a circumstance where a student will need a 504 accommodation to not wear a mask. Please consult your special education staff to learn more. According to the Commissioner, there can be developmental disabilities that prevent students from wearing a mask.

    Elementary Music Safety Protocols

    Singing is a part of every music lesson at every grade level in our elementary schools, and singing is required in the state’s music curriculum.

    Recent studies have reviewed the amount of “aerosols” that are produced by singers and instrumentalists when they perform. Two preliminary rounds of results from this study have been released.

    In order to continue to develop choral skills in our students as well as maintain or priority of abundant safety, we will require the use of a mask during the singing portions of music class each week. Students may choose to bring a mask from home, or they will be issued a mask to use during music class. We will ask the students to keep their mask with their class materials, backpack or cubby so that it is available on the day that they have music class each week. If they forget their mask on the day that they have music, we will have extra unused masks on hand to provide to them.

     

    Community Transmission Levels
    SUBSTANTIAL Source Control Measures Transmission Precautions
    High number of active cases relative to population Face coverings will worn by staff, students, and visitors, as feasible, especially when social distancing is difficult, including in classrooms Use of face mask/N95/KN95, eye protection, gown, gloves, by school nurse when in close contact with suspected case of COVID-19 (fever plus symptoms)
    Cases increasing Implement increased social distancing measures Use of face masks, eye protection, gloves by staff at high risk for coming into contact with blood, body fluids, secretions and excretion
    Strain on hospital beds/staff/equipment   Placement of face mask on student or staff with fever and/or symptoms of COVID-19
    MODERATE Source Control Measures Transmission Precautions
    Moderate number of active cases relative to population Face coverings will be worn by staff, students, and visitors as feasible, especially when social distancing is difficult, including in classrooms. Use of face mask/N95/KN95, eye protection, gown, gloves, by school nurse when in close contact with suspected case of COVID-19 (fever plus symptoms)
    Hospital/ICU beds and equipment widely available Consider increased social distancing measures. Use of face masks, eye protection, gloves by staff at high risk for coming into contact with blood, body fluids, secretions and excretion
    Cases may be increasing slightly, staying steady   Placement of face mask on student or staff with fever and/or symptoms of COVID-19
    MINIMAL TO LOW Source Control Measures Transmission Precautions
    Small number of active cases relative to population Face coverings optional Follow standard infection control protocols
    More cases attributed to travel or close contact than to unknown community sources Follow standard infection control measures  
    Cases decreasing