District-wide mask mandate now in effect
Students eat lunch in the Commons, some wearing a mask and some not, Jan. 11, one day before the mandatory mask mandate was reinstated by Superintendent Amy Starzecki.
January 12, 2022
As of Jan. 12 students and staff throughout the entire district are now required to wear masks in schools and at sports events.
Superintendent Amy Starzecki included this change in policy on the Jan. 11 daily announcements for the high school, as well as in a post on the school district’s Facebook page. The rise in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant post winter-break encouraged this new mask mandate.
“Given what has occurred across the country regarding the new Omicron variant, rates are predicted to continue to increase in our community and it is likely we have not seen the peak in cases yet,” Starzecki said.
There will be masks available for students and staff at N1, N3 and E16. Students will be sent home if they refuse to wear masks. The Spartan Shack is also reducing their mask price from $7 to $5 as of Jan. 12. Furthermore, masks are to be worn at all school-related events.
meechie • Jan 14, 2022 at 1:58 pm
very nice story guys !
Quentyn Fleck • Jan 13, 2022 at 8:57 am
guys back off los he’s a w
Claire Farnham • Jan 13, 2022 at 8:30 am
Although I think a mask mandate should have come much sooner, I am glad that it is happening now. It keeps everyone safe and healthy. I haven’t gotten sick at school because I’ve been wearing a mask. Usually, I would have been sick a few times by now.
Quentyn Fleck • Jan 12, 2022 at 10:19 pm
Hazmat suits will better protect us than these masks. I’m currently researching the effectiveness of a DuPont Tychem 10000 Commander EX Level A Suit TK555T. People continuously wear their masks incorrectly so better protection is necessary. In the picture it looks like the mask is below the nose, and the other person isn’t even wearing one.
Eric Winterschiedt • Jan 12, 2022 at 8:54 pm
I love masks. I love wearing them. They are so great on my face.
Emma R Larsen • Jan 12, 2022 at 1:38 pm
I think the mask mandate is MORE than appropriate given the current situation with Covid in and around our school and community. Up until this point students and staff have been getting sick and the district has done nothing about it. I think its a good first step in the right direction. Most schools have been wearing masks since the start of the year and we are finally catching up, as cases once again surge with the Omicron variant. It is very frustrating though to walk around school seeing people wear them incorrectly or not at all. It is incredibly selfish
Armella K Lane • Jan 12, 2022 at 11:30 am
After getting sick multiple times this year (while in school), I think that masks should be required during winter all years! I haven’t gotten COVID, just people’s bad colds, strep throat, flu, etc. I’m sick of it!
Emma Winberg • Jan 12, 2022 at 11:13 am
The mask mandate I completely disagree with, Especially for people who are vaccinated. People are getting vaccinated so it lowers the risk of being more sick from the virus but also so they don’t have to wear a mask. I believe if you are vaccinated you should not be forced to wear a mask at school or anywhere.
Hayden Wilson • Jan 12, 2022 at 10:46 am
The mask mandate seems like a very last-minute and an impulsive policy implemented by the superintendent. Just a week after lifting the mask mandate on elementary students, she reinstates a district wide mandate. These are not confidence inducing policy decisions from leaders that we are supposed to trust and find reassurance in.
Brynn Peterson • Jan 12, 2022 at 10:45 am
I think that a mask mandate is very reasonable, I would rather wear a mask than do online school.
Phoebe Pilon • Jan 12, 2022 at 10:44 am
I’m happy that the mask mandate has been put in place. As the cases have been rising more and more, students still have not been informed by the school or their teachers whether they were within close contact of a student with COVID, and many of the people getting it are unvaccinated. By wearing masks, hopefully everyone will be at a much lower risk of contracting it, even if they’re unvaccinated. I’d rather not go online again.
Brooke Hendry • Jan 12, 2022 at 10:17 am
I think that the mask mandate was necessary and should’ve been implemented sooner. For a long time cases were rising at rapid rates and it felt like the district was ignoring it when they weren’t doing anything. It’s still very frustrating though to see so many individuals not wearing their mask correctly, especially knowing most of them are unvaccinated.
Kaine Onwudiegwu • Jan 13, 2022 at 8:59 am
mid
Sam Wicklund • Jan 12, 2022 at 10:16 am
Masks will slow the spread of COVID in school, I would rather wear a mask than go online again.
Abigail Schlais • Jan 12, 2022 at 10:11 am
I’m relieved masks are being mandated. With the influx of COVID cases recently, the crowded hallways have been a source of stress. I hope that if masks are successful in reducing the number of cases, we won’t be forced to go online again.