Rainbow Board makes masks mandatory in Rainbow Schools

At the regular meeting of Rainbow District School Board held on September 1, 2020, Trustees voted unanimously to make masks mandatory for students in primary grades.

With reasonable exceptions, all students in Rainbow Schools in Grades 1 to 12 are now required to wear non-medical or cloth masks indoors in school, including in hallways and during classes. Kindergarten students are required to wear masks and/or face shields in indoor spaces.

“During these difficult times, a safe, caring and respectful learning environment is essential for all students and staff,” said Board Chair Doreen Dewar. “Wearing masks is an extra layer of protection that we are implementing to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and the communities that we serve.”

Outdoor times like recess will be used as opportunities to provide students with breaks from wearing masks within their cohorts.

Students are asked to come to school with their own masks. Cloth masks are recommended, since they are reusable, can be washed daily, and are more environmentally friendly.

Students are encouraged to bring spare masks in the event one becomes wet or damaged throughout the day. Masks should be washed and dried on a nightly basis.

Schools will have a supply of reusable, cloth masks available for students who need them.

Staff, parents/guardians and visitors are also required to wear masks.

To access a fact sheet on how to wear a mask, please visit rainbowschools.ca.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.