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Goshen Community Schools requiring masks for all K-12 students

Alan Mbathi/IPB News

Starting Thursday, Sept. 9, students, staff and visitors at all Goshen Community Schools will have to wear a mask indoors. 

Kindergarten through sixth grade students have had to wear a mask since Aug. 23, while staff and visitors at the district’s K-6 schools have had to wear them since Aug. 12.

 

“The K-12 mask requirement should protect the 2021-22 school year, keeping students in the classroom, and avoiding a return to virtual learning,” Superintendent Steven Hope said in a release.

 

The district says the mask requirement is tied to Governor Eric Holcomb’s executive order that allows school districts to set their own COVID-19 rules and restrictions. 

 

The requirement will be reevaluated when that order expires on Sept. 30.

 

(Read the district’s full statement in English and Spanish below.)

Governor Eric Holcomb’s recent Executive Order 21-24 states that schools are responsible for implementing local measures and restrictions to address the spread of COVID-19. In accordance with the order, GCS will implement a mask requirement for all K-12 students, staff, and visitors beginning on Thursday, September 9, 2021. The Governor’s order extends to September 30, 2021 at which time this GCS mask requirement will be reevaluated.

 

According to Executive Order 21-24:

Unvaccinated individuals are the most at risk for serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Since January 2021, 93% of new COVID-19 cases are with unvaccinated individuals.All Hoosiers, age 12 and above, are strongly encouraged to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination which will be provided at no cost. Hoosiers can locate a vaccination site by calling 2-1-1 or visiting www.ourshot.in.gov.  Anyone 12-18 years of age may only receive the Pfizer vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccination has proven to provide the single best protection from serious illness and hospitalization caused by the COVID-19 infection.

 

For the full Executive Order, please go to: https://www.in.gov/gov/files/Executive-Order-21-24-Health-Based-Provisions-Continued.pdf

 

GCS Superintendent Dr. Steven Hope stated that “the K-12 mask requirement should protect the 2021-22 school year, keeping students in the classroom, and avoiding a return to virtual learning.”

 

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La reciente orden ejecutiva 21-24 del gobernador, Eric Holcomb, establece que las escuelas son responsables de implementar medidas y restricciones locales para abordar la propagación del COVID-19. De acuerdo con dicha orden, a partir del jueves, 9 de septiembre de 2021, la Corporación Escolar de Goshen (GCS, por sus siglas en inglés) implementará el requisito sobre el uso de cubrebocas para todo el cuerpo estudiantil de kínder a 12º grado, el personal escolar y quienes visiten las escuelas. La orden del gobernador se extiende hasta el 30 de septiembre de 2021, momento en el que volverá a evaluarse el requisito del uso de cubrebocas de GCS.

Según la orden ejecutiva 21-24:

Las personas no vacunadas son las que corren mayor riesgo de sufrir enfermedades graves, hospitalización y muerte. Desde enero de 2021, el 93% de los nuevos casos de COVID-19 se producen en personas no vacunadas. Recomendamos reiteradamente a todos los residentes de Indiana, de 12 años o más, que se vacunen contra el COVID-19. La vacuna es gratuita. Los residentes de Indiana pueden enterarse de la ubicación de los sitios de vacunación llamando al 2-1-1 o al visitar la páginawww.ourshot.in.gov. Cualquier persona de entre 12 y 18 años de edad solo puede recibir la vacuna Pfizer. La vacuna COVID-19 ha demostrado brindar la mejor protección de no padecer enfermedades graves y hospitalizaciones causadas por la infección de COVID-19.

 

Para revisar la orden ejecutiva completa visite:https://www.in.gov/gov/files/Executive-Order-21-24-Health-Based-Provisions-Continued.pdf

 

El inspector escolar de la Corporación Escolar de Goshen (GCS, por sus siglas en inglés), Dr. Steven Hope, declaró que "el requisito del uso de cubrebocas de estudiantes de kínder a 12º grado debe proteger el año escolar 2021-2022, mantener a los estudiantes en el salón de clases y evitar el regreso al aprendizaje virtual". 

Gemma DiCarlo came to Indiana by way of Athens, Georgia. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2020 with a degree in Journalism and certificates in New Media and Sustainability. She has radio experience from her time as associate producer of Athens News Matters, the flagship public affairs program at WUGA-FM.