8/17/21 - GRPS Changes Requirements, Will Require Masks Now

Grand Rapids Public Schools issues new a mask mandate for all students, staff, beginning Tuesday, August 17th.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – (Mlive) - Grand Rapids Public Schools is requiring universal masking indoors for the start of the 2021-22 school year, reversing a previous decision not to mandate masks this fall.

All students, staff and visitors will have to wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status starting Tuesday, Aug. 17, Superintendent Leadriane Roby announced on Monday.

The mask mandate comes following last week’s guidance from the Kent County Health Department, which strongly urged schools and parents to enforce mask use for K-12 students to lower COVID-19 transmission.

Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defined Kent County as having a “substantial” level of COVID-19 transmission as cases per 100,000 residents pick up again. The rise in cases was attributed in part to the prevalence of the highly transmissible delta variant.

Kent County Health Department Director Adam London said on Friday masks are effective at “significantly limiting COVID transmission” in schools. He called the concentration of unmasked and unvaccinated persons in classrooms “very concerning” based on observations of what is happening already in areas where school has resumed.

“While my greatest concern on this matter is for the welfare of the children, please understand that if COVID transmission is accelerating in any part of our community, that transmission will inevitably spill over into other parts of the community,” he said.

“That could also result in the capacity of our hospitals and healthcare providers to deliver timely outstanding care to be stretched to the limit once again. We must work together to protect their ability to care for COVID patients, but also to provide their full array of essential medical services.”

The new mask mandate applies to all GRPS students and staff regardless of age or vaccination status, Roby said. The only exception is for students and staff with medical conditions that impede their ability to wear a mask.

GRPS leaders will revisit the mask mandate on or before Sept. 20, Roby said.

“We will continue to work closely with our county health officials throughout this time and monitor the data to determine if it will be extended further,” she wrote. “Thank you for your continued patience, understanding, and support as we continue to navigate this uncertain and ever-changing time.”

GRPS initially announced on Aug. 4 there would not be a mask mandate for the start of the 2021-22 school year. School leaders said masks would be strongly recommended for all students, staff and visitors.

District spokesperson John Helmholdt previously said the guidance would remain subject to change based on local and regional COVID-19 data, as well as recommendations from health officials.