We’re all ready to see students faces again — Barry DaPaoli
by Dennis Rahm
Approximately 30 middle and high school students from Chelan have missed classes the past few days while conducting a protest of the state mandate requiring the wearing of masks at school.
CHS Principal Brad Wilson confirmed that students who refuse to mask are not allowed in the classroom or inside the school buildings. Those not masking are marked as absent, although parents can send a note indicating support of the protest which will then allow for an excused absence.
Wilson said he doesn’t begrudge the students rights of freedom of speech and peaceful assembly and is hopeful that students don’t fall behind in class work.
In the past week or so two school districts in the state, Kettle Falls and Richland, have seen their school boards vote to make the masking policy for students and staff optional and not mandatory.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction has notified school districts that violating the State mandate on masking could result in withholding or reducing school funding. However, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal has recently sent a letter to Governor Jay Inslee asking for the removal of school masking mandates and to instead leave that decision to local health districts. Also, Superintendents from 49 school districts in Eastern Washington have signed a letter asking the Governor to end the mask mandate.
The Governor has scheduled a media briefing for Thursday afternoon when he is expected to update the indoor masking rules. So far there is no indication of when indoor masking might end, or if it would include schools.
Many in the education field are hopeful that there will be changes to the masking regulations, or at least an indication of when the regulation might be lessened. Lake Chelan School District Superintendent Barry DePaoli said, “I feel it is time to move forward. I think we’re all ready to see students faces again”.
