CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Schools in Montgomery County will stop requiring face masks, starting with summer programs, and won’t require them when students return in the fall. And, because of a new state rule, local schools are no longer able to shift to remote learning.

The new protocols won’t take effect until June 1, and are “based on updated guidance, recommendations, research, and requirements,” according to a note the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System sent to families Wednesday afternoon. That means students will continue wearing masks through the end of the year.

For high school graduations, CMCSS is following Austin Peay State University’s guidelines for the Dunn Center, which includes a mask requirement and reduced capacities.

Here are some of the guidelines sent to families.

  • Face Masks: In accordance with the CDC’s guidance that fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask, CMCSS strongly encourages students, employees, and visitors who are not vaccinated to wear face coverings in common areas and when physical distancing cannot be maintained anywhere in a building or on transportation. At this time, there will not be a universal face-mask requirement for students, employees, and visitors effective June 1, 2021.
  • Continuum of Learning: In accordance with the TN State Board of Education’s rule and the expiration of Continuous Learning Plans, CMCSS will no longer transition schools and/or the district to remote learning. For students who cannot attend in-person instruction due to quarantines, the district will work with families on a case-by-case basis to ensure students have access to instruction at home.
  • Field Trips, Mass Gatherings & Out-of-State Travel: In-person field trips, mass gatherings (such as assemblies and pep rallies), and out-of-state, school- or district-sponsored travel for students and employees will be reviewed for approval on a case-by-case basis.

The end to remote learning also upends the school system’s plan to go remote as needed during inclement weather. CMCSS previously announced an effective end to snow days, since students would be able to shift to remote.

Schools spokesman Anthony Johnson confirmed to Clarksville Now that the new state rule prevents that from happening, and CMCSS will need to go back to stockpiling inclement weather days. That revised policy should be announced in the coming weeks, he said.

CMCSS also sent this guidance:

“Please note that at this time the rules on isolation and quarantines from the Tennessee Department of Health and the Montgomery County Health Department are still in place. Schools are still required to conduct contact tracing and exclude unvaccinated students and employees who are close contacts to a positive case from the school environment. CMCSS will continue to keep families updated on this requirement.

“To view all of the health and safety protocols for summer 2021 and the 2021-22 school year, click here. Please note that the protocols take effect June 1, 2021, are subject to change based on future updates to local, state, or national guidance or mandates.

“As a reminder, the last half day of school for CMCSS students will be next Wednesday, May 26. Due to graduation schedules, high school students only will be remote Monday, May 24, through Wednesday, May 26, as previously announced by each high school. However, high school students in self-contained special populations classrooms will report for in-person learning on May 24 and 25.”