Alpena Public Schools encourages, but won’t mandate mask wearing
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ALPENA — While Alpena Public Schools officials strongly recommend students and staff wear masks in school this fall, mask wearing will not be mandated.
District officials announced on Thursday they will implement a multi-layered approach to curb the spread of COVID-19 and its variants this school year. The multi-layered approach was developed based on guidance from local, state, and federal public health officials.
The first day of school starts on Aug. 30, and students can expect to return to face-to-face instruction five days per week. However, restrictions on parents and visitors in the building will remain.
The district’s COVID-19 protocols also encourage eligible students and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but require students to wear masks while on a school bus because it is mandated by the Federal Department of Transportation.
District officials will continue to promote social distancing in the classrooms and schools and provide guidance for when students and staff are not feeling well and should stay home. The importance of hand washing and covering one's mouth when one coughs will be stressed, and sanitizer and masks will be available in each building.
District officials will continue to work collaboratively with District Health Department No. 4 in the close contact quarantine process, but district officials will not issue any close contact quarantine orders.
"We look forward to welcoming our staff and students back for a successful 2021-22 school year," Superintendent Dave Rabbideau said in the district's news release. "To reiterate, our goal is to keep our students in school, face-to-face, and learning five days a week this year. We strongly encourage everyone to do their part to help mitigate the spread of the virus both in our schools and our community."