Eanes ISD makes adjustment to COVID-19 protocols for elementary outdoor activities

As of April 26, Eanes ISD elementary school students are no longer being required to wear masks while engaging in outdoor activity during physical education or recess.

The slight adjustment in protocol falls in line with updated guidelines from the Texas Education Agency, Austin Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to an April 22 news release from the district.

Elementary school students have previously been permitted to take mask breaks during recess, with social distancing measures in place.The district’s updated protocols will extend this allowance to outdoor P.E. class and physical activities.

Additionally, social distancing will be encouraged but not required when participating in these outdoor activities.

The update guidance will not impact secondary school students, according to EISD. Under TEA’s guidance, secondary school students have not been required to wear masks during outdoor physical activity.

As of today, the district will continue all other protocols, which are outlined in EISD’s COVID-19 health plan, and masks will still be required inside school buildings.

Still, the small adjustment brings the EISD community one step closer to normalcy while still adhering to safety measures, the district said in the release.

“As mentioned in previous district communication, EISD plans to return to a pre-pandemic, in-person school environment for all students when school resumes in August,” the release states.