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Masking at Lawton – Updates

This week, SPS announced masking changes that will start on Monday. Here’s a quick overview of what is/isn’t changing at Lawton and how you can help us during this transition.

  • What is changing: Starting Monday, March 14th:
    • Masking will be optional for staff and students in most settings, including yellow buses (masks are still required for those visiting the nurse’s office and while singing in music).
    • Students and staff who have been exposed (close contacts) will not be required to quarantine, regardless of vaccination status.
    • Close contacts will continue to be notified, but classroom-wide notifications will end.
  • What is staying the same: Many layers of protection remain in place:
    • Students showing Covid symptoms must stay home; students who develop symptoms at school will be sent home.
    • Vaccination requirements for staff and volunteers remain the same.
    • Vaccines will still be available at SPS Clinics. Testing and PPE will still be available.
    • Physical distancing, strong air ventilation (HVAC), and air quality testing remain.
    • Current lunch practices will remain in place and be re-evaluated at the end of March.
  • How you can help:
    • Talk to your student about your family’s masking preferences. Although we will continue to have extra masks for anyone who wants or needs one, we will not be tracking anyone’s mask usage. Any preferences you have should be communicated directly to your student. Educators will not group students based on masking preferences.
    • Talk to your students about respect for others’ personal choices. Lawton teachers and staff will be modeling and reinforcing that wearing or not wearing a mask is an individual choice. We will continue to emphasize the importance of respecting others, being kind, and making everyone feel welcome. These are essential Lawton values.
    • Stay flexible. We expect guidance on other school protocols (e.g., lunch and spacing guidelines) may continue to change in the coming weeks. If/when it does, we will communicate the changes and continue to adapt. We’ve all had plenty of practice adjusting to new rules over the past two years and will likely need to do some more.