The State of Ohio is reporting COVID-19 incidents at their highest rate since February 2021. In slightly more than a month, more than 13,000 Ohioans have contracted COVID. Hospitals are reaching capacity, and most concerning of all, the percentage of children getting COVID vastly surpasses what we saw over the past year.

 

Recognizing the increased risk that the COVID-19 Delta variant represents to children, particularly to those 12 and under who are too young to be vaccinated, Groveport Madison Schools is mandating all students and staff wear masks, if not only to protect themselves but to protect others around them. The District-wide (PreK-12) mask mandate will begin on Monday, August 23rd. We hope this mandate is temporary, and we will continue to work with medical experts to determine how long this mandate will be in place.

Masks must be worn at all times when indoors and when on a school bus. If an individual cannot wear a mask due to medical issues, a physician’s note explaining why they cannot wear it will exempt them from this mandate. At present, we are not mandating masks be worn outdoors.

 

We know there will be some families and students who disagree with this position. The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and for that, we will not apologize. We value all of our Cruisers, and we have to do what is best to keep them safe while the COVID Delta variant remains prevalent in Ohio.

Should you have questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with our Communications Office at 614-492-2520 or email us at [email protected].

  

COVID-19 is still very much on all of our minds, and the District will continue to follow the guidance of state and local public health authorities. While masks are not presently required, we encourage students and staff to wear masks as much as possible. We will continue to space students out as much as possible, and we will maintain rigorous cleaning/disinfection protocols to reduce the possible transmission of the virus. In addition, considerable work has been done over the summer to upgrade schools. Every HVAC unit has been equipped with additional filtration and other systems designed to disinfect the air and to eradicate the COVID-19 virus and a host of bacteria, molds, etc. While these upgrades will help reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 spreading, the best protection against getting the virus is to be vaccinated. While we do not require students to be vaccinated, we strongly encourage anyone eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

We will be monitoring COVID statistics for our schools and our area very closely. If we see a spike or substantial increase in reported COVID cases, we will likely mandate masks for all students and staff. 

We will immediately inform you of any changes or additional information.

  

Healthcare organizations in Ohio follow the state's guidelines that allow them to order a test for COVID-19 for anyone who wants one. However, some testing sites may have restrictions, and testing standards may differ among providers. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as:

or have been exposed to a person who has COVID-19, you should get tested. 

 

Healthcare providers, community health centers, and retail pharmacy locations will screen individuals before ordering or performing testing. Calling ahead and asking about screening procedures and standards, including insurance requirements, physician's order requirements, the minimum age for testing, is important. If you or someone you know are experiencing emergency warning signs* for COVID-19, seek emergency medical care immediately. Signs include:

The Ohio Department of Health provides COVID-19 data on its website. Find information on the following topics by clicking the links below: