The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is recommending all school districts use its updated guidelines, which include the use of face coverings indoors regardless of vaccination status.
Following guidelines from the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics, the DPI states schools are encouraged to require masks for all students over 2 years of age and school staff while indoors. The DPI also encourages the use of layered mitigation and prevention measures.
"Kids under the age of 12 can't get the vaccines and they are over half of the kids within our school districts," said Jilly Underly, DPI state superintendent. "We realize that masking really is the way to go."
During a media briefing Monday afternoon, Underly said kids' safety and education is the number one priority.
"If you want to keep your schools open and you want to make sure that kids and staff are safe, we need to follow the science, which says to wear masks, get the vaccine if you can and practice good hygiene," Underly said.
Masks are currently optional within the Appleton Area School District, Brillion Public Schools, Manitowoc Public School District, Neenah Joint School District and Oshkosh Area School District.
Sheri Hartzheim, Appleton, said she'd like to see masking remain optional at AASD.
“With the policy the way it is - masks optional - I think that’s a good way to start our school year," Hartzheims said. "If we see any change to that then of course we can reverse course at that point in time. But I think we should start there.”
Hartzheim's daughter will be a freshman at Appleton North High School this school year. If the district decides to implement mask requirements, Hartzheim said the family will consider sending their daughter to Fox Valley Lutheran High School.
"We decided based on the mask optional choice that she would be a Lightning to start the school year. My concern is that the school will reverse course and I'll have to rethink that for my child," Hartzheim said.
Appleton school officials said mask policies might be brought up during Monday night's Board of Education meeting, but it's not a stand alone agenda item.
The School District of West De Pere voted for masks to be optional on June 4, but superintendent Dennis Krueger said that will be revisited at the next board meeting on August 18.
Face coverings will be optional for students and faculty in grades 7 and up in the Green Bay Area School District. Students and staff in grades 6 and below are required to wear masks while indoors.
The Howard-Suamico School District recommends the use of face coverings.
