Summer Madaras, 6, works at her computer in her first grade classroom on April 1, 2021 at Swanson Traditional School in South Bend. Staff photo by Michael Caterina
SOUTH BEND — Elementary students in South Bend will be required to wear masks for the start of the coming school year, while visitors to any district school building will be required to wear a mask or show proof of vaccination.
The South Bend Community School Corp. board approved a 2021-2022 reopening plan Monday night outlining a mask policy and other coronavirus-related measures for the start of the year.
Students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade will be required to wear masks indoors. Face coverings will not be required, but strongly encouraged, among unvaccinated staff and middle and high school students. Staff and middle- and high-school students who are vaccinated can go mask free.
Masks will not be required outdoors for students and staff except among those who are high-risk. The district will observe federal orders for public transportation requiring face coverings on school buses.
Brandon White, assistant superintendent of academics, said the practices are subject to change at any time as the district tracks local infection rates and advice from health officials.
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