Governor David Ige, Department of Health Director Libby Char and Interim Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi outlined the state’s plan for getting students back into the classroom safely.
In a press release Governor Ige said, “One thing we’ve learned is that in-person learning is, for most students, critical for their academic and social success, as well as their overall well-being. We also know that it will take the entire community to keep our students, faculty and staff safe at our 256 public schools.”
The state’s layered strategy to opening schools safely includes:
- Vaccinations: Promoting COVID-19 vaccinations among all faculty, staff and eligible students 12 years of age and older.
- Stay Home When Sick: Faculty, staff and students are urged to stay home when sick. The delta variant is highly transmissible, and we must work to break the chain of transmission.
- Mask Up Indoors: Schools will ensure that there is correct and consistent masking indoors. The evidence is clear – wearing masks indoors or in large groups when outdoors, is the second-best way (next to vaccinations) to protect yourself and loved ones from the virus.
- Hand Hygiene: Good hand hygiene will be emphasized in schools. Faculty, staff and students will be strongly encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water often, or at least to use hand sanitizer.
”All of our schools are strictly adhering to the safety protocols and mitigation strategies to keep everyone safe. In-person learning contributes to the overall well-being of our students – from the availability of social and emotional support resources, to food security through our school meal program, through extra-curricular activities,” said Keith Hayashi, interim schools superintendent, Department of Education in a press release.
Photo credit: Associated Press