SEATTLE – Beginning Monday, March 14, 2022, Seattle Public Schools will shift its masking requirement from mandatory to optional.
This change applies to all SPS students, staff, volunteers, and visitors both indoors and outdoors at any SPS building. In addition, masks will also be optional on school buses.
Through March 13, 2022, the current rule requiring masking on all district property and on school buses remains in place.
The new mask-optional rule aligns with Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s updated statewide health guidance announced two weeks ago. SPS has informed its labor partners, including the Seattle Education Association, of the change.
“As we have since the onset of COVID-19, Seattle Public Schools follows the guidance of Public Health on health and safety.” said SPS Superintendent Brent Jones, who added that continued masking by staff and students is strongly encouraged. “While Public Health is no longer mandating masks, masking is an individual choice. We won’t tolerate shaming or judging anyone in our schools for wearing a mask or not wearing a mask.”
Dr. Jones also stressed the need for the district to remain nimble and ready to implement masking or other mitigations in the event of increased community transmission or an outbreak in a classroom or a school or other district building.
As it has throughout the school year, SPS will continue to monitor COVID-19 rates in all schools, with data reported and updated weekly on the district’s COVID-19 dashboard.
As SPS moves into this next phase of responding to the pandemic, other mitigations continue:
• Hosting periodic COVID-19 vaccination clinics for students and staff.
• Offering COVID-19 testing opportunities.
• Informing students and staff to stay home when sick.
• Encouraging frequent handwashing.
• Maintaining frequent property cleaning.
• Maintaining physical distancing to the greatest extent possible.
• Providing at or above-standard air exchange (HVAC) and air quality testing in district-owned buildings.
Please see the SPS website for more information.
