Proposed COVID-19 guidelines for Quincy schools says masks ‘highly recommended’ for unvaccinated people

QUINCY — Superintendent Roy Webb released Tuesday afternoon on social media the proposed COVID-19 guidelines for the 2021-22 school year that will the Quincy School Board will vote on during its July meeting on Wednesday night.

The proposal, which Webb posted on his personal Facebook page, “highly recommends” masks in indoor settings for unvaccinated people. 

“Parents and their children should have conversations about what is best for them,” Webb wrote.

Masks won’t be required outdoors. They won’t be required in most indoor settings for people who are vaccinated. Layered mitigations such as physical distancing, masking in certain settings (such as assemblies and public transportation like buses), quarantining, testing of those with symptoms (with parental approval), and increased sanitizing, will be in place.

If an outbreak occurs in a building, expect masks to be required until the Adams County Health Department and School Board agree it is safe to remove that layer of mitigation.

“As we prepare for the 21-22 school year, our world may be much different than last year or previous years,” Webb wrote. “We will have some families ready to move on from COVID restrictions. We will have some families still very concerned about the possible spread of the virus. In Quincy, we will look out for the safety of our students. 

“This was not written to make all happy or satisfied. It is what we think the right course is right now. I’m not 100 percent sure this is the right guidance. I have not been 100 percent sure about most decisions for the last 18 months. I’m a little skeptical of those who know exactly what right looks like. Please keep in mind, things may change. I think we at QPS are good at that.”

In-person instruction will return to all students in grades K-12.

“We will still social distance as best we can in classrooms and hallways, using three feet distance as our goal,” the proposal read. “We will use our greenspace and outdoor opportunities.”

School administrators will work with parents/guardians on an alternate instruction plan for students who must be quarantined. 

An online academy will be available for students in grades 9-12. Students who apply and meet the criteria can access Edgenuity, a virtual program designed for schools, and/or QHS developed courses through Schoology. Students attending the online academy will take tests and quizzes on campus in a safe environment.  

Locker use at Quincy Junior High School will resume in 2021-22. Lockers at QHS are optional and must be requested when registration is completed.

Breakfast for students in grades K-8 will be available and eaten in classrooms. Students in grades 9-12 can eat breakfast in the cafeteria. All school cafeterias will serve lunch. Elementary schools may use media centers to reduce student numbers in cafeterias. QHS will have six lunch periods. QJHS will use the cafeteria, annex and possibly some classrooms.

Busing will fully resume. Bus capacity is 50 passengers.

Events will resume at full capacity. Most clubs, athletic events, and music events will be back on a traditional schedule. Schools will welcome back Volunteers, presenters, parents and special guests. Field trips will be used for educational purposes on a limited basis.

“Things will change,” Webb wrote. “Last year, even though our overall plan stayed the same the entire year, we were constantly adjusting. We will do the same this year, and we can always become less restrictive as conditions change. We also will prepare to be more restrictive if the virus spreads more in the Quincy and Adams County area. 

“Last year, we felt we were preventing the spread by early identification of individuals with symptoms and our other control measures. We plan to continue to be a great community partner in the reduction of this virus. Changes may occur quickly, but they will always be in consultation with the Board of Education and Adams County Health Department.”