Bartholomew Consolidated Schools will be making masks optional in its buildings, based on new state guidance yesterday.

According to the school district, Indiana Department of Health,COVID-19 control measures are being revised. Now,  all decisions regarding COVID-19 mitigation strategies are being made locally.

Based on that guidance and a decrease in positive cases around the district, BCSC will move from “masks required” to “masks optional” starting on Tuesday. Students are not in school on Monday, due to the president’s day holiday.

Due to federal requirements, masks will still be required for students and staff on school buses.

School officials say despite the change to optional masks, parents should  keep their children home if they are feeling ill. Additionally, school nurses will continue to assess students that are not feeling well once at school and send them home as necessary.