OCPS implements face mask requirement, with an opt-out option

Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins on Friday, Aug. 6, announced a face mask requirement for all students.

However, parents can choose to opt out of the requirement.

“Opting out means sending a simple note with your child on the first day of school, such as, ‘I am opting out of the face mask requirement for (child’s name)’ with your signature,” Jenkins said via a phone message sent to OCPS parents.

The mandate is effective for 30 days, beginning Tuesday, Aug. 10.  

“We will continue to monitor the situation with our local experts and make a determination about how to proceed before the 30 days have expired,” Jenkins said.

The mandate was announced a few hours after the Florida Department of Education adopted new rules related to attendance and Hope Scholarships. 

The new rules provide a mechanism to transfer a child to a private school or another school district under a Hope Scholarship when a student is subjected to harassment in response to a school district’s COVID-19 mitigation protocols.