Lyons Township High School District 204 will ended its student masking mandates on Monday.
The school board voted unanimously to end its mandate at a Feb. 22 night board meeting.
However, students may still wear masks voluntarily and masks are encouraged to do so, both by the Centers for Disease Control and the district.
According to district spokesperson Jennifer Bialobok, the district is moving toward a “mask recommended environment.”
That started Monday. The move came before the state and Cook County eased up their own mask requirements in public spaces. Cook County’s public health department said it would scrap mask requirements and even proof of vaccine requirements and testing requirements by Feb. 28, as cases of COVID-19 decline.
In addition, school districts across the area — and the country — have faced increasing pressure by parents and community members to end the mandates, though they remain broadly popular, according to regular polling data.
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Masking mandates aside, LTHS says it will also mitigate — as best as it can — risk factors for the spread of the deadly virus. This includes social distancing of three feet or more, when possible, and regular testing for anyone interested. The district will also test anyone who shows symptoms of having COVID-19.
“We recognize that this shift away from a universal masking requirement represents a significant change from the practice of the last two years and may create stress and anxiety for students, staff, and families,” the district said in a public statement. “We remain committed to monitoring the available metrics regarding COVID transmission within our buildings and our community, to considering the guidance provided by CDC, CCDPH (Cook County Department of Public Health), IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health), and ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) regarding COVID mitigation within schools, and to cultivating a school environment that is respectful of the choices that are available.”
In the meantime, LTHS employees met via Zoom on Wednesday to discuss the transition. Bialobok said in an email the teachers will get small lesson plans to instruct students on the transition and guidelines emphasizing the need to respect student choice on wearing masks.
Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.