OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Oshkosh Area School District says it will move to optional face coverings, effective Jan. 15, 2022.
“We will continue to monitor and consider relevant data, conditions of the pandemic, guidance from health officials, and input from various stakeholders to keep our school communities as safe as possible,” said Bryan Davis, OASD Superintendent of Schools. “Vaccination continues to be our greatest mitigation effort. We are grateful for all who have chosen to be vaccinated and receive a booster when eligible, as well as those who are reaching out to their healthcare providers to learn more and do what is best for their family.”
The OASD’s current face covering requirement, which ends on January 7 will be extended until Friday, January 14, 2022. This extension allows the District to use face coverings to mitigate COVID spread resulting from holiday travel or gatherings.
Face coverings will be optional for all students, staff, and visitors in OASD buildings beginning Saturday, January 15, 2022. Face coverings will be used as a temporary but required mitigation measure for individual classes and schools whenever the following COVID thresholds are met.
Elementary School: If any elementary CLASSROOM has one or more active positive cases of COVID-19, face coverings will be required to be worn by students and staff in the impacted classroom while in school for 10 calendar days. This requirement will also be in place for elementary after school programs that have one or more active cases.
Middle and High School: If any middle or high SCHOOL reaches a point where 2% or more of the student population are considered active positive COVID-19 cases on our weekly monitoring dashboard, face coverings will be required to be worn by everyone inside the facility for 10 calendar days. This includes all extra-curricular activities, including participants and spectators, on school property.
Additional face covering details for the District as of January 15 are as follows:
- Face coverings will still be required for all students and staff while on district transportation per federal order; this includes for all school and extracurricular/athletic activities.
- Face coverings will be optional for Oshkosh Early Learning (early childhood and 4K) sites within OASD buildings. However, due to state licensing requirements, Early Childhood and Oshkosh Early Learning 4K sites within community centers will continue to follow each site’s face covering policy for students/staff.
- If a high school reaches the 2% threshold for positive COVID-19 cases, face coverings will be required for athletes and the District will reinstate the Winter Sports protocol that requires weekly testing for unvaccinated athletes in order for them to not have to follow the face covering requirement for competitions. Vaccinated students would not have to wear face coverings during competitions.
- Oshkosh Recreation Department programs will be face coverings optional as of January 15, 2022. The District reserves the right to modify this guideline as/if needed.
Vaccinations are currently available for anyone age 5 and older at local clinics and listed on the Winnebago County Health Department’s website at wcvaccine.org//vaccination-sites.
Community opportunities include Walk-In Wednesdays at Sunnyview Expo Center (500 E. County Road Y) from 1 to 6 p.m. each Wednesday (no appointment necessary), as well as options at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Pick n’ Save, and Hometown Pharmacy. Additionally, anyone ages 16 and older can get a booster shot.
The District’s centralized COVID Testing is available for students and staff, Monday through Friday while school is in session. Due to the District’s Winter Break, the testing will not be available on December 23 or 24. However, it will be available on Monday, December 27 and Tuesday, December 28. Families are encouraged to take advantage of this free testing for students who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
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