A group of more than 60 protestors descended on the Morongo Unified School District’s first in-person meeting of the 2021-2022 school year last night (August 10) to protest the district’s mandate ordering all returning students to wear masks when indoors at any district school site. However, when informed that masks were required to attend the board meeting, many protesters refused, prompting Sheriff’s Deputies to be called to monitor the event. With around half of protestors ejected for refusing to wear a mask, the remaining reluctantly-masked protesters voiced their opposition to the mandate, including Jamie Westmoreland and Amanda Roby.
Protestor Jamie Westmoreland stated “Masking our children is child abuse! Let’s protect them and allow them to breathe freely and learn without obstructions!”
Protestor Amanda Roby stated “…you [the district] want our children to attend school every single day muzzled like a dog!…Their rights matter, and if you [board members] get to choose when you put your mask on, so should my children!”
Board president Hilary Slotta requested district staff to investigate if any school district in California is offering a mask waiver program or any variations in COVID-19 testing requirements for student athletes. Assistant Superintendent Sharon Flores provided a full list of COVID-19 protocols for students returning to school on August 23.
COURTESY OF MUSD:
Return to School – COVID-19 Protocols:
The health and safety of our staff and students is of the utmost importance. As a district, our goal is to mitigate and reduce the transmission of COVID-19 using guidance provided by the CDC, CDPH, and SBCDPH. Currently, the Morongo Basin high COVID-19 transmission rates and is in the “red” category. In working with local and state health departments, the following safety considerations will be in place at schools, district sites, school buses, and after school programs:
- Face coverings are required for indoors and in vehicles when sharing space with others, including students, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.
- Face coverings are required to ride the school bus.
- Face coverings are not required outdoors regardless of vaccination status.
- Face coverings will be provided to all staff, students, and visitors that do not have one.
- Student assemblies and group gatherings are prohibited.
- Beginning of school year parent/student information meetings will be held with limited occupancy, mask wearing, and social distancing.
- As contact tracing is required in case of a COVID-19 case, visitor access to school district facilities will be limited.
- School volunteers will not be used at this time.
- Hours have been increased for custodial staff to assure facilities are cleaned and sanitized.
- Vaccinations are not required to return to school.
- Every classroom will be stocked with hand sanitizer, facemasks, and disposable gloves.
- Students will be instructed on the frequent use of hand sanitizer and handwashing.
- In instances of a positive COVID-19 case, contact tracing protocols and parent notification protocols will be followed. This includes the testing and quarantine of exposed students and staff.
- Students participating in afterschool athletics will be COVID-19 tested on a weekly basis.
These protocols will be updated based on new guidance from the CDC and State and local health departments. The District will re-evaluate these protocols the week of September 13, 2021 and update if necessary.
