• Face masks aren’t required but recommended for youth in common spaces
• Donated masks should be generic, contain no writing or vulgarity; sports teams are OK

The Polk School District’s plan to return to classes on August 3 includes face masks as part of their guidelines for keeping students healthy and safe, but they won’t be required when campuses return to regular business.

And when face masks are donned, the District already has guidelines in place for what will be acceptable for youth.

Superintendent Laurie Atkins explained that the new rules on face masks that were approved by the Board of Education during their July 7 work session as part of the supporting document for the dress code policy will allow students to wear them in class, but they have to meet specific requirements about what is on the masks.

“Kids are not required to wear masks; however, it is a good idea to wear during transitional areas such as hallways, bathrooms, and cafeterias. Masks are not suggested for classrooms; however, they are allowed for at-risk students or students that are not comfortable without a mask,” Atkins said. “Face masks should not be distracting to the learning environment, have vulgar or profane graphics or language that is harassing to other students based on race, religion, gender or disability or that is sexually suggestive.”

She added that “The masks are not to have writing or slogans that are not school, district or collegiate related.”

In more simple terms: masks should be plain, or not go too overboard on the design, since it can pose a distraction in the classroom environment. Additionally, local, college and national sports teams are OK, which would allow for Cedartown Bulldogs or Rockmart Yellow Jacket-style masks, SEC teams and teams like the Atlanta Braves, the Falcons and Atlanta United logos.

For students who try to go beyond the boundaries of what is allowed for face masks, the district will follow the same rules that are set forth in the dress code policy for violations. The policy states that any student who violates the policy will not be allowed to attend class, and may face further discipline.

Those who are looking to donate masks should seek plain colors for the easiest possible way to get masks to youth, and adopt youth sizes.

Atkins added her thanks to organizations like the Polk County Chamber of Commerce for recognizing the need for students who might not be able to afford masks put forth the effort to collect donations on behalf of the district.

“We greatly appreciate the support shown by our community,” Atkins said. “We have already had offers to assist with providing face masks and water bottles.”

She added that the school is also in need of sanitizing wipes – Lysol and Clorox, for instance – ahead of the start of the school year to clean surfaces.