Update to Mask Requirement & Protocols Effective Oct. 18

After evaluating our data, the Barrow County School System will rescind the temporary mask requirement for students while in school buildings effective Monday, October 18. However, masks will be required on school buses at all times. We will contact trace positive cases and require quarantines at home for students identified as a close contact. 

We strongly encourage students to wear a face mask while in school buildings. We also encourage eligible students to get vaccinated. These personal choices will help to limit quarantines for students and limit the spread of COVID-19. We need your help to Save our School Year, once again. #SOSBarrow

For now, we will revert to the protocols that went into effect on Wednesday, August 18, which are listed below. We will review our protocols and mitigation measures in the coming weeks to determine what criteria will be used to manage positive COVID-19 cases and student quarantines moving forward.

Thank you. 
Barrow County School System

August 18 Protocols:
If a school reaches a threshold of over 1% of its population with positive COVID-19 cases, all staff and students will be required to temporarily wear masks indoors at school and on the school bus. Please note this will not be a long-term requirement. It will be rescinded as soon as the school falls below the 1% threshold over a period of 5 school days.

BCSS will also return to the consistent system-wide implementation of our COVID-19 Health Precautions in all schools and facilities, especially in the area of Physical Distancing and Minimizing Exposure. These precautions specifically include:

• Hallways will use structured and one-way crowd flow.
• Desks and seating areas will be arranged to maximize space between students. 
• Students will remain in smaller cohorts to limit mixing.
• Masks are required in our school clinics (and as of 10/18, on buses).
• Seating charts will be used in all classrooms, cafeterias, and on buses.
• There will be no large indoor gatherings that bring together students and staff not normally in contact with one another. 
• Virtual events, rather than face-to-face, will be used as much as possible.
• Only essential visitors are allowed in the building, including parents (those who can’t meet virtually), contracted workers providing services to students, and mentors with parent permission. These visitors will be expected to wear a mask while in the buildings.
• Students will eat all meals in classrooms, or classes will rotate through cafeterias in smaller groups.
• There will be no restrictions on any outdoor events that have voluntary attendance.