M-DCPS Announces New COVID-19 Protocols for Elementary and K-8 Center Students

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has continued to rely 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 enable the District to further relax its current health and safety protocols. Based on significantly improved COVID-19 conditions in the community and within our schools, the following protocols will be fully implemented Friday, November 12, 2021:

Parents of students in all schools, including K-8 centers and elementary 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 their child’s school. Additionally, fully vaccinated employees at all schools may choose not to wear facial coverings.

While local conditions have improved and the school district is revising its 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 our medical experts, and review our protocols on a weekly basis to identify opportunities for further adjustments of COVID-19 protocols.

For the most up-to-date information, please download the Dadeschools mobile app to your iPhone or Android device. Follow us on Twitter @mdcps and @miamisup, on Instagram @miamischools and @miamisup, and on Facebook at MiamiSchools and AlbertoCarvalho.