Who needs to wear a mask in Miami-Dade and Broward schools? The rules have changed
The mask rules have changed at schools in Miami-Dade and Broward County. Face coverings are no longer required for everyone.
But it can get confusing.
Students who attend certain schools are still required to mask up until further notice. So are some employees.
Here’s a breakdown of each district’s mask policy to help you through it:
Who needs to wear a mask in Miami-Dade County Public Schools?
Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho on Monday announced the district was loosening its mask mandate now that a key set of COVID-19 metrics was met.
These are the new rules, effective immediately:
▪ For students
High school and middle school students, excluding those who attend a K-8 center, will no longer have to wear a mask if their parents sign a form opting them out of the mandate. The form can be found at https://backtoschool.dadeschools.net or obtained at school.
Students who attend a K-8 center are still required to wear a mask inside school buildings and school buses.
Elementary school students are still required to wear a mask inside school buildings and school buses.
Masks do not need to be worn outside if social distancing can be maintained.
▪ For employees
Fully vaccinated employees who work in a high school, middle school or at a district office that is not on a school campus will no longer be required to wear a mask.
All employees, including those who are fully vaccinated, who work at an elementary school or a K-8 center must still mask up inside school buildings and school buses.
Fully vaccinated bus drivers will be required to wear a mask if they are transporting children who attend an elementary school or a K-8 center.
Masks do not need to be worn outside if social distancing can be maintained.
Mask rules at Broward County Public Schools
The public school district of Broward County’s new mask mandate went into effect Monday.
These are the rules:
▪ For students
Students who attend a high school or technical college do not have to wear a mask, although it is “strongly encouraged,” according to the district. Unlike in Miami-Dade, parents don’t have to fill out an opt-out form. The easing of the rules does not apply to pre-K-12 schools or students in a pre-K program that is on a high school campus.
Students who attend an elementary or middle school, including a K-6, pre-K-8, or pre-K-12 school or center, are required to wear a mask inside school buildings and school buses unless they have a medical exemption. This also applies to any students in a pre-K program on a high school campus.
Masks are not required outside if people can maintain at least three feet of social distancing. Masks are also not required while eating, engaging in “strenuous physical activity,” participating in sports, or during musical and theater performances.
▪ For employees
Employees who work at a high school or technical college do not have to wear a mask but it is “strongly encouraged,” the district said.
Those who work in an elementary or middle school, including a K-6, a pre-K-8 or a pre-K-12 school or center, are required to wear a mask inside school buildings and school buses. This also applies to staff who work in a pre-K program on a high school campus.
District employees who do not work on a school campus do not have to wear a mask but it is encouraged. However, they must wear masks if they visit a school or center that does have a mask mandate.
Masks are not required outside if people can maintain at least three feet of social distancing. Masks are also not required while eating, engaging in “strenuous physical activity,” participating in sports or during musical and theater performances.
What about at charter schools?
The mask policy of each charter school is set by its governing board. And most of the major public charter schools in South Florida, such as Academica, have policies strongly recommending masks for students, but are letting parents decide if their child should wear a mask or not, as the Miami Herald has previously reported.
The most up-to-date policy can usually be found on the website of your child’s school.
Who needs to wear a mask at an Archdiocese of Miami-run school?
The Archdiocese of Miami has also recently loosened its mask policy.
Here are the new rules:
▪ For students
As of Monday, fully vaccinated high school students are not required to wear a mask if they show proof of vaccination, like with their CDC vaccination card.
Starting Nov. 8, fully vaccinated students in seventh and eighth grades will no longer need to wear a mask if they show proof of their vaccination to the school, like with their CDC vaccination card.
Students in grades pre-k-6 are still required to wear a mask indoors. Masks are not required for children under 2.
Masks are optional for all students when outside.
▪ For employees
As of Monday, fully vaccinated teachers who work in a high school are not required to wear a mask if they show proof of vaccination, like with their CDC vaccination card.
Starting Nov. 8, fully vaccinated teachers who teach seventh and eighth grades will no longer need to wear a mask if they show proof of their vaccination, like with their CDC vaccination card. However, they must still wear a mask if they are teaching children in lower grades.
Any fully vaccinated educator that teaches grades 6 or lower will be required to wear a mask indoors.
Masks are optional for all employees when outside.
This story was originally published November 2, 2021 at 11:49 AM.
