Beginning Monday, Ralston Public Schools is changing its secondary COVID-19 protocols, RPS Superintendent Mark Adler announced in a statement Thursday, Oct. 21.

Ralston Middle School and Ralston High School will transition to a mask-recommended status. Masks will be optional but still highly recommended for students and staff in these buildings. The change is in response to declining case counts both within Ralston Public Schools and Douglas County.

Masks will still be required at all RPS elementary schools until access to a COVID-19 vaccination is available, and district elementary-age students have had an opportunity to be fully vaccinated. Once this happens, the district plans to review protocols at the elementary level.

It should be noted that RPS can and will make adjustments as necessary at any time during the school year. The district will continue communicating with the Douglas County Health Department and monitor positive cases in the Ralston Public Schools and community.

If case counts increase to a level of concern, the district will consider reinstating a mask requirement for the district’s middle and high schools at any time.

“Our health and safety protocols and procedures will continue as they have all year at all campus locations,” Adler said in the statement. “In the end, we want to create learning environments that are as normal as possible while focusing on the health and safety of students and staff.”

During the last week in November, the district will review COVID-19 protocols for secondary schools and make any changes needed. If adjustments are needed, they will take effect before the start of December.

“Thank you for your continued cooperation and partnership in keeping our students in the most powerful place they can be for learning, the classroom!”  Adler said.