Round Rock ISD Encourages All Students, Staff Wear Masks

Round Rock TX

12 August, 2021

2:01 PM

Description

ROUND ROCK, TX — While some Texas school district are issuing a mask mandate, Round Rock ISD is encouraging all students, staff and visitors to wear face masks during the 2021-22 school year. The school district, which is expected to welcome nearly 50,000 students this school year for in-person classes on Aug. 18, said it is working diligently to employ various measures to keep its campuses as safe as possible as both Travis and Williamson counties surge with COVID-19 cases. MORE: Back To School: Round Rock ISD 2021-22 School Calendar "We are committed to protecting the health and safety of our students, staff and community, within the limitations of Governor Abbott's Executive Order prohibiting school districts from requiring masks," district officials said. "With more than 25,000 Round Rock ISD students still ineligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Round Rock ISD strongly recommends that students, staff and families wear a mask while on campuses and in district facilities to reduce the transmission of the virus and to protect those who are not vaccinated." While Round Rock ISD and Leander ISD are both recommending the use of masks, Austin ISD and IDEA Public Schools will enforce students, staff and visitors to wear face coverings while on school property. The two public school district are a part of the select few in Texas that are issuing mandates in defiance with Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order, which states public schools cannot require masks in school. MORE: Round Rock ISD To Offer Virtual Learning In 2021-2022 Just south of Round Rock, Austin-Travis County announced Wednesday it would issued a mask mandate for public schools and city/county buildings effective Thursday as coronavirus cases surge in the metro area and hospitals become inundated with severe cases of the virus. Round Rock ISD said it will continue to host vaccination clinics and collaborate with local health authorities to update its Student and Staff COVID-19 guidelines. "Our mitigation strategies are varied, based on CDC and local health guidance, and include measures such as providing desk shields, improved ventilation, and social distancing in our classrooms," officials said. For the latest information on COVID-19 protocols, the community is ask to visit the Round Rock ISD website or follow the district's Facebook and Twitter pages. RELATED COVERAGE:282 New Cases, 1 COVID-19 Death In Williamson County Austin ISD Will Conduct COVID-19 Contact Tracing UT Austin Will Require Negative COVID-19 Tests For Campus Move-In