EIPS mask mandate upsetting many parents
Parents upset with a recent announcement by Elk Island Public Schools that a mask mandate will be instituted this year for back-to-school, have banded together in an effort to combat the issue.
On Aug. 18, EIPS issued a statement that mandatory masking will take effect Sept. 1 for students K-6, and masking for ages 12 – 19 if their rate of vaccination is below 70 per cent.
“As of Sept. 1, 2021, all students, staff and visitors in kindergarten to Grade 6 division wide, except those with medical exemptions, are required to wear a mask. Students, staff and visitors in Grades 7-12 aren’t required to wear masks if the full immunization rate in their community is greater than 70 per cent. If the rate of youth immunization, 12-19 years of age, is less than 70 per cent in a community served by EIPS, masking is mandatory for all grades (Kindergarten to Grade 12) for staff, students and visitors,” said the statement. In addition, a motion was approved by the board to re visit the guideline on or before Jan. 20, 2022.
As of Aug. 23, the vaccination rate in Lamont County for ages 12 – 19 was 54 per cent.
Overnight, anti-masking Facebook groups have attracted thousands of members including one group titled ‘EIPS Parents and Community Against Mask Mandates for Students’ which grew to more than 500 members in 4 days.
Crystal McCullough, one of the newest members of the EIPS parents Facebook group, lives in Star with her three children and husband Danny. She said she would rather remove her children from school than to make them wear masks again.
“I hated allowing my kids to be masked up last year, but they wanted to go to school so badly. But the problem was COVID was new and we really had no idea what it was,” she said. “But now that we know a bit more, there are numbers and proof, showing that the kids are not getting sick from this. I’ve spoken to a few of the moms that I know. And they said if you set up a homeschooling thing, let me know because we’re with you.”
McCullough added that she is not against vaccines, but rather she is for choice.
“I am not an anti-vaxxer. My kids are all vaccinated. I just think parents should be given the choice of whether to mask or not,” she said.
Another Lamont County children’s guardian, who has asked to remain anonymous, said she was furious when she heard about the mandates as one of her elementary school aged children is hearing impaired.
“He had so many problems last year,” she said. “It was difficult because he couldn’t hear the teacher properly nor could he see her lips. He couldn’t communicate properly because of the mask.”
She noted a dramatic difference in the child’s school performance from the year before.
“He was thriving the year before. He loved going to school. Then last year his grades just plummeted,” she said.
In addition, she is concerned with the amount of time he will spend every day with a mask on.
“He will get on the bus around 7:45 a.m., have to put on his mask, then not get home until around 4:00 p.m. That’s eight hours with a mask on,” she said.
Mandatory masking on school buses will remain in effect until at least Sept. 27, as per provincial guidelines.
Meanwhile, one choice parents will not have this year is an online at-home learning option for their kids.
Laura McNabb, communications director for EIPS said by email that the board wanted to make a decision for online learning based on what is best for kids.
Read THE REST OF THE STORY (continued on Page 15) in the latest edition of The Lamont Leader – on newsstands now or read the digital version below:
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