The Schools of McKeel Academy have issued a mask mandate for all staff, effective Tuesday after 12 individuals tested positive for COVID-19, “our largest single-day rate of infection since the onset of this global pandemic.
“South McKeel has now surpassed the total number of cases it had during all of last year,” Director of Schools Alan Black said in an email to parents. “If this data causes you to pause, it should.”
Black said the charter school system, consisting of South McKeel Academy, McKeel Academy Central – both elementary schools – and McKeel Academy of Technology, a middle and high school, was “significantly worse off today than we were a year ago this time.”
Polk County has seen a spike in COVID cases, with 12 children hospitalized across the region in the past week.
McKeel Academy asked parents, students, and staff to participate in masking up last week, but many opted out.
“I ask you to reconsider, notifying your child’s teacher of any change in your decision,” Black said. “It is your right to choose. It is also my decision, my responsibility to protect all students, teachers and staff. As a result, a mask mandate will go into effect tomorrow, Tuesday … for all employees of The Schools of McKeel Academy.”
Black said he would also be issuing a mask “opt out” form for families of McKeel Academy of Technology, as well as non-bus riders of McKeel Academy Central.
“Those measures are necessary in the event that a temporary mask mandate also becomes inevitable for the students of MAT and MAC,” he said. “These days are truly unprecedented. We would appreciate your support, flexibility and patience as we work to keep everyone safe and remain open.”
The Florida Department of Health website says, “The best way to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death is to get vaccinated. You should also avoid being exposed to the virus (and avoid exposing other people). You can also prevent illness by practicing tried and true public health mitigation measures.”