The mask mandate for all California schools grades K-12 for the 2021-22 school year has been terminated. When school resumed this past Monday, March 14, masks were optional for all students and staff within the Riverbank Unified School District.
RUSD Superintendent Christine Facella sent out a notice to parents last week regarding the new guidelines by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) that began on their return to school this past Monday.
“The most significant change is that masking is no longer mandatory yet highly recommended for everyone,” stated Facella. “There was also a softening on the social distancing in terms of the amount of space. Our students will continue to take lunches outside as they have been unless there is poor weather, in which case students will eat inside and will be distanced to the extent possible.”
In the letter to the parents, Facella noted that although people have differing opinions on the issue everyone should respect each other’s rights to either wear a mask or not wear one.
She noted, “Throughout the last two years, our district has been successful in employing the mitigation strategies and working together for the safety of everyone and for that we should be proud.”
The masks on campus are strongly recommended while indoors by the district and more importantly for those with underlying health conditions.
Students have been permitted to resume field trips that are directly related to course curriculum, state standards, and programs. The district recommends that the students take masks on the field trips in case they go to a place that requires one.
“With yesterday being the first day that both staff and students had the choice to wear a mask or not, RHS looked like it was about 50/50,” remarked Riverbank High School Principal, Greg Diaz about the first day that masks were not mandatory on campus. “Some students and staff continued to wear them; others had them off, but there wasn’t any noticeable difference in the way people were acting around campus. It was business as usual; we just saw a few more smiling faces.”
RUSD will continue all other protocols for COVID and advises parents to keep their students home if they have any COVID symptoms as well as to notify the school of attendance.
Meanwhile, in a note for parents, distributed on social media, as well as other means, Crossroads Elementary School Principal Kathryn Pound advised them of the change that was to become effective on Monday, March 14.
It says “Masks will no longer be required to be worn indoors by both students and school staff, and individuals will have the choice to decide if they wear a mask or not.”
With the change in policy, Pound said she “wants to make sure to express the importance of respect.” She noted that some will continue to wear masks while others choose to go without.
“Students and staff should feel secure to make whatever personal choice they choose while knowing that they will be respected by all in our school community.”
She added that, "”here at Crossroads, we pride ourselves for upholding ‘Cougar Pride’ and show three main school pillars: Be Safe, Be a Learner, and Be a Leader.”
For more information or full details regarding the CDPH update visit cdph.ca.gov.
