Editor’s note: The following statement was released by Noblesville Schools Wednesday morning regarding updates to the school district’s masking policy. It is addressed to district parents and families.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our COVID protocols, allowing us to keep schools open and students learning in person. We appreciate your support and patience as we navigate together through these challenges.
Today we’re providing an update regarding the use of masks at Noblesville Schools.
Effective immediately, masks are recommended and optional for spectators at public extracurricular activities, such as athletic and performing arts events that do not take place during the school day.
At this time, masks will continue to be required during the school day for students, staff and visitors.
Beginning in January 2022, once the metrics below are both met for two consecutive weeks, qualifying school buildings will be “mask optional.” Masks could again become required should a school go above either one of these thresholds.
- Positive COVID case rate of 1 percent or less (based on overall building population).
- Quarantine rate of 3 percent or less (based on overall building population).
We report COVID positive cases and quarantines by building here and will notify parents when these criteria have been met. Please note that this would be Jan. 26, 2022, at the earliest.
The COVID benchmarks and timing are based on the following considerations:
- Honoring significantly increased COVID-related workloads of teachers, nurses, bus drivers and other employees critical to operating our schools
- Overall COVID spread in Hamilton County
- Vaccination rates of school-age children
- The ability for students ages 5-11 to be fully vaccinated.
- Guidance from health professionals
- Compliance with state health orders (Currently, universal masking during the school day allows us to significantly reduce the quarantining of healthy students. The state has indicated they plan to reevaluate their quarantining requirements in January.)
- Federal mandate for masking on buses
- Quarantine rates from activity happening outside of school
We’re pleased to report that we have been experiencing fewer “close contact” quarantines as more students become vaccinated and encourage you to speak with your child’s medical provider about the COVID vaccine. (Vaccinated students are not required to quarantine for close contact as long as they remain symptom-free.)
Questions about COVID vaccines for ages 5-11? Click here to get guidance from the Hamilton County Health Department.
Need to schedule a COVID vaccination? Visit the Noblesville Schools Vaccination Clinic or go to ourshot.in.gov.