Students are headed back to school in Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Indian River Counties today and masks are not mandatory on the bus, but there will be assigned seating for the benefit of contact tracing. Students in Palm Beach County must wear a mask in class, unless their parents send a signed note opting them out of the mandate.

Interim Palm Beach County Superintendent Mike Burke announced Saturday that facial coverings will be mandatory inside schools and buses for all students unless the student’s parent or guardian chooses to opt out of the requirement by writing a note. There is no need to cite the statute or provide further details.

Example: “August 10, 2021 – I am opting for my child [Insert name] to not wear a facial covering while at school. Signed, [insert parent name].”

The superintendent will reevaluate the mask guidelines month by month.

All teachers must wear masks while on campus. Classroom Teachers Association President Justin Katz said Monday that they believe there needs to be choice for vaccinated teachers regarding masks as well.

Treasure Coast schools are not mandating masks, and Broward County’s mask mandate is still in place pending a special school board meeting on the topic today.
School starts in Martin County tomorrow and in Broward on August 18th. Drivers watch your speed around the school bus stops and zones.

Click here for more information on back to school.