M-DCPS Announces New COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Since the onset of the pandemic, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has relied on science and data to guide its decision making regarding COVID-19 protocols. These decisions have been informed by data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), in addition to guidance from the public health and medical experts task force.

M-DCPS has been monitoring specific COVID-related metrics that would allow current health and safety protocols to be relaxed. Based on current COVID-19 conditions, effective Tuesday, November 2, 2021, protocols will be adjusted as follows:

Parents of students in high schools and traditional middle schools will now be able to choose whether their children wear facial coverings through a parental opt-out provision. Parents wishing to avail themselves of this provision will need to complete an opt-out form and return it to their child’s school. Forms can be downloaded at https://backtoschool.dadeschools.net/ or obtained at the school. Additionally, fully vaccinated employees in high schools and traditional middle schools, as well as non-school sites, may choose not to wear facial coverings.

Parents should be advised that while local conditions have improved and the District is revising COVID-19 protocols, the CDC continues to recommend universal masking in schools, regardless of vaccination status. M-DCPS offers COVID-19 testing, school-required vaccines and the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible students in partnership with the University of Miami Health System and the FDOH. For more information, visit https://www.dadeschools.net.

M-DCPS will continue to follow science, consult with medical experts, and review its procedures on a weekly basis to identify opportunities for further adjustment of COVID-19 protocols.

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