The Washoe County School District will require all students to wear face coverings on campuses, not just ones age 10 and older.
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s mandate on face masks allows exemptions for children nine and younger.
At a Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday, Superintendent Kristen McNeill said returning to school while preventing further spread of COVID-19 needs to be a team effort, and wearing masks is part of that.
In its current form, the back-to-school plan in Washoe County involves a blend of online and in-person learning for middle and high school students.
Elementary school students will resume a full-time in-person schedule, with the option to pivot to a hybrid model if needed. An online-only track and other accommodations will be available to families upon request.
Some calendar dates were also shifted by vote. First through 12 th grade classes will start August 17. Pre-K and kindergarten students will return August 24 th.
Superintendent McNeill also suggested taking some days from fall and spring breaks to catch up on lost class time.
The board voted to allow the potential use of one week of break time for class days. The start date shift accommodates some staff development days before students come back.