The kids heading back to school amid COVID-19 this month has brought a lot of uncertainty for students and their families.
Sudbury.com reached out to our readers for their back-to-school questions, and Sudbury.com has endeavoured to find some answers.
Today’s question:
If children are not able to wear a mask to school, are they still being accepted for in-person learning?
Answer:
In short, yes they are.
The provincial government’s Guide to Reopening Schools says students in grades 4 to 12 are required to wear non-medical or cloth masks indoors in school, including in hallways and during classes.
A number of school boards in Ontario, including the Rainbow District School Board, has expanded this requirement to younger kids as well (the Rainbow board is allowing to kindergarteners to wear either masks or face shields).
But the province’s guide also said that “reasonable exceptions on the requirement to wear masks will apply.”
We reached out to local school boards for further explanation about exemptions from wearing masks.
Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario said exceptions will be made for students with health problems or special needs that prevent them from wearing a mask.
School principals will be responsible for exceptions in schools, said board spokesperson Paul de la Riva.
Conseil scolaire public du Grand-Nord de l’Ontario said in a press release all staff members and all students in grades 4 to 12 will be required to wear a face mask, but exemptions may be allowed for students with respiratory problems.
Break times will be offered throughout the day so that students can remove their mask.
Sudbury Catholic District School Board spokesperson Carlee Leishman said in an email parents of kids who require a mask exemption were asked to contact the principal of their child's school.
The school principal will discuss the situation with the superintendent and may put into place alternative measures in the event that they are necessary (such as sneeze guards).
Leishman said that as per public health guidelines, a person can be exempt from wearing a face covering on the premises if:
- The person is a child under the age of two years; or a child under the age of five years either chronologically or developmentally and he or she refuses to wear a face covering and cannot be persuaded to do so by their caregiver;
- The person is incapacitated and unable to remove their mask without assistance;
- Wearing a face covering would inhibit the person’s ability to breathe in any way;
- For any other medical reason, the person cannot safely wear a face covering such as, but not limited to, respiratory disease, cognitive difficulties or difficulties in hearing or processing information;
- For any religious reason, the person cannot wear a face covering, or cannot cover the face in a manner that would properly control source.
Do you have a back-to-school question you think we should tackle? Email [email protected].
