Be safe.
Be respectful.
Be responsible.
Mask Sycamore.
Board of Education Meeting
If you missed the most recent meeting, you can view the recording on the district's YouTube Channel.
Why M.A.S.K. Sycamore?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has changed its recommendations to say, "Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the guidance for fully vaccinated people. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place."
In addition to the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Ohio Department of Health, and The Sycamore Data Assessment Risk Team (DART) have all recommended universal masking no matter your vaccination status.
According to the NY Times Coronavirus Tracker, Hamilton County has had "an average of 410 cases per day were reported in Hamilton County, a 26 percent increase from the average two weeks ago from the average two weeks ago...Right now, Hamilton County is at an extremely high risk for unvaccinated people." (updated September 16, 2021)
From the Ohio Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard, looking at COVID-19 Cases by zip code* over the last 2 weeks (136 cases total):
- 45242: 472.9 / 100K
- 45249: 387.7 / 100K
(updated September 16, 2021)
Previous numbers from September 14, 2021:
- 45242: 389 / 100K
- 45249: 364.9 / 100K
*45242 and 45249 are the zip codes DART identified to monitor for Sycamore School District recommendations
It is simple. It is not political. We need to Mask All Staff and Kids in Sycamore.
So what can you do?
- Email the Board of Education members and the Superintendent Chad Lewis why universal masking is important to you and your children.
- Use our talking points and other resources to talk with your friends in the Sycamore School District in a respectful manner. Be mindful others have genuine reasons for making masks optional.
- Get involved to ensure the children of the Sycamore School District's health and safety is the Board and Superintendent's priority.
- Learn about the candidates who are running for Sycamore School Board such as Sara Bitter and Lynne Stieger, and volunteer for their campaigns.
Our Mission
For the Sycamore Board of Education to M.A.S.K. (Mask All Staff and Kids of) Sycamore, per the CDC guidelines (as of July 27, 2021).
Want to help?
Sign up on this Google Form to get involved. Or add your name to our petition, then please share with friends and family in the district.
Relevant News
Face Masks and Kids: Separating Fact From Fiction
“Vaccination is number one, but masking is number two and is therefore the most effective way to reduce spread of COVID in settings where people [including children less than 12] cannot be vaccinated,” said Dr. Mike Smith, a professor of pediatrics at Duke University School of Medicine. He co-authored the ABC Science Collaborative study published in Pediatrics, which tracked the effectiveness of mitigation efforts in 100 school districts across North Carolina.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has consistently supported universal masking for all vaccinated and unvaccinated children and adults in schools, even when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention briefly suggested earlier in the spring that vaccinated individuals could go without masks.
School outbreaks and what it means for hospital capacity
Well, to no one’s surprise, we’re setting records for kids across the nation as schools re-open. We have no national COVID19 school surveillance program in place, so we’re relying on anecdotal evidence, state-level data, and data gurus in the private sector to piece together an epidemiological picture. As of today, this is what it looks like…
SARS-CoV-2 Transmission to Masked and Unmasked Close Contacts of University Students with COVID-19
What are the implications for public health practice?
Universal masking and fewer encounters in close proximity to persons with COVID-19 can limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in university settings.
Studies show face masks reduce droplet emission,
infection risk, and COVID-19 incidence.
In addition to the studies cited below, the Ohio Schools COVID-19 Evaluation, published Jan. 29, 2021, showed that
children who were close contacts and appropriately masked had rates of COVID-19 that were similar to children with no
known COVID-19 exposure in school.
The Impact of Community Masking on COVID-19: A Cluster-Randomized Trial in Bangladesh
Summary: A randomized-trial of community-level mask promotion in rural Bangladesh during COVID-19 shows that the intervention tripled mask usage and reduced symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections, demonstrating that promoting community mask-wearing can improve public health.
Safety over politics.
Board of Education
Visit this page to learn about the next Board of Education Meeting, how to contact the members and Superintendent, and any updates from Healthy Aves.
Resources
We have provided talking points with a focus on creating positive and empathetic dialogue with community members. You can also print flyers and find other data sources.