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Syracuse Schools will Require Masks for In-Person Classes Syracuse Schools will Require Masks for In-Person Classes

The Syracuse school district returns to in-person classes with masks mandates

By Adriana Loh

Teacher proceeds to teach her classroom while wearing her mask.
© 2021 Adriana Loh

REPORTER ADRIANA LOH: MASKS ARE A CONTINUED ESSENTIAL ADDED TO SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS AS
KIDS ARE GEARING UP TO RETURN BACK TO SCHOOL. THE SYRACUSE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS REQUIRING MASK WEARING FOR ALL STUDENTS, TEACHERS, STAFF AND VISITORS INSIDE SCHOOL PROPERTY.
SYRACUSE SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHER ANABELLE MALDONADO SAYS TEACHING DURING THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN A LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND MANDATES WILL ALLOW KIDS TO FEEL A SENSE OF NORMALCY AGAIN.

ANABELLE MALDONADO: “I think it’s so important for kids to make those relationships, and they can’t over Zoom. I think it’s more important for kids to come to school, be in-person with their classmates and teachers than to put up a fight and not wear a mask.”

REPORTER ADRIANA LOH: THE DISTRICT WILL REQUIRE TEACHERS AND STAFF TO PROVE THEY ARE
VACCINATED OR COMPLY WITH A WEEKLY COVID-19 TESTING.

ANABELLE MALDONADO: “I didn’t care about my personal values. I put that aside just because I know a lot of these kids don’t go home to the same home I do, and I could not risk getting them sick.”

REPORTER ADRIANA LOH: SYRACUSE SCHOOLS WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW RECOMMENDATIONS FROM
THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION AS OTHER LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS COME UP WITH INDIVIDUAL COVID-19 CLASSROOM RULES.

ADRIANA LOH…, N-C-C News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y- The Syracuse school district will continue to have masks be an essential school supply as students prepare for in-person classes in the fall. 

Mask wearing is required for all students, teachers, staff and visitors on in-door school property and school buses. 

The New York State Board of Education released its 2021-2022 reopening guidance for schools based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. 

Since its release, the Onondaga County Health Department has complied with the CDC’s recommendations and followed suit by monitoring symptoms, contact tracing, and other standard prevention strategies to avoid an uptick in cases among its students. 

Syracuse school district teacher Anabelle Maldonado says teachers and parents need to put personal beliefs aside and let kids follow masks policies to return to school.

“The classroom is not catered to just one kid, these are shared areas,” Maldonado said. “School can be a safe haven for a lot of children, I do not want my own personal differences or anyone else’s to affect students from returning back to class and getting that in-person experience we once had.”  

Indoor mask-wearing still applies to those who are vaccinated. Teachers and staff who are not vaccinated will be required to take a weekly COVID-19 test. 

The CDC is recommending schools located in high-transmission zones, should consider canceling or finding alternative ways for high-risk sports. 

“I have instilled a lot of safe practices within my own classroom to ensure the safety of my kids,” Maldonado said. “We do not share the same toys or supplies, students practice social distancing during snack breaks and everything is continuously being disinfected.” 

The Onondaga County Health Department is advising school districts to come up with individual COVID-19 classroom rules and safety measures to limit cases and levels of community transmission. 

For more information on Onondaga County’s recommendations for reopening schools, you can visit here. 

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