2021-2022 Back to School Mask Policy
Dear Academy Families:
Even in the face of the challenges brought by the pandemic, we are tremendously excited about the start of school! Gathering together, renewing relationships, seeing the excitement of children of all ages – and of the teachers – to share the same spaces, to see how much all the children have grown, to renew friendships and relationships, to feel the true power of possibility that lies in the first days of school – it’s a special time of year!
No virus, no quarantine, no mask requirement (should there be one) will keep us from making the opening of school have that important, vital, uplifting feeling! We will do all we can in our opening days and throughout the year to make every student’s school experience be filled with challenge, care, and a deep sense of belonging. We will celebrate the love of learning and the joy in the journey! Thank you for choosing to be part of this special community and for giving us the opportunity to work with your child(ren).
We are most grateful for your response to last week’s survey about masks. We had an outstanding response rate — over 85% of our families. While the survey was not a “vote,” it provided us with much data that helped us to reach our decision about temporary mask policy to start the year. Here is an “Executive Summary” of the survey results:
- About 1 in 4 parents (23% of families with 6th graders and younger, 25% of families with 7th graders and older) were “strongly opposed” to a temporary mask requirement for younger students at the time of the survey (July 26-28).
- 30 – 35% (about 1 in 3) were “strongly opposed” or “opposed” to temporary masks
- Masks for the “Under 12” population is only slightly more favored (by those who expressed a preference) than masks for all students.
- 65% (for “Under 12’s”) vs. 61% (for all students)
- The older the student, the more support there was for masks for the “Under 12’s”
- Families with UD students favored masks for the “Under 12’s” by a margin of 70% – 30%
- The comments skewed in approximately the same distribution. Arguments on all sides were thoughtful and well-articulated.
- This survey was conducted July 26 – 28, and we have some evidence (based on more recent parent comments) that the survey results may be more “pro-mask” if we sent it out today (because of the change in local conditions).
We very much want to have as normal a school year as possible. We would like to be mask-optional for as many days, weeks, and months as possible.
Our judgment about the best way forward for the start of school is that we implement a temporary mask requirement for all students and adults. This is based on our judgment about the current prevailing conditions of the pandemic and our obligation to provide a safe environment for all of our students.
Please click here for the details of our temporary mask mandate for the start of school next week.
We know that our decision will not please every member of our community. But we are a community – and that means that sometimes we each must compromise a little in the interest of the well-being of the whole. As one parent responded in the survey, “[No one truly] likes to wear a mask. But we like virtual school even less.” To those families who are deeply opposed to masks: I hope you will bear with us as we ply these choppy waters together. We know that you and your family add much to our community, and we know that there will be calmer seas ahead.
As ever, we deeply appreciate your family’s choice to be part of the Academy at the Lakes community. Your presence creates and supports jobs, and has helped to build an institution of power, strength, and excellence that we can all be proud of today and for many tomorrows to come.
Sincerely,
Mark Heller
Head of School
