La Crosse schools ending mask requirement March 8
LA CROSSE (WKBT) — The School District of La Crosse will end its mask requirement on March 8, according to a message to families sent out Thursday by Superintendent Aaron Engel.
Engel cited fewer cases in the school district, the increase in vaccines, treatments, and a new understanding of COVID-19 in his message as reasons for the change.
“A variety of metrics indicate COVID case rates are getting better in our community and will likely continue to get better in the near future,” Engel said.
The district will support families who continue to mask. and masks will be required on buses per federal mandate.
“We also reserve the right to implement a mask mandate again in the future and to implement temporary masking for classrooms or schools if there are outbreaks. If conditions necessitate it, we will use masks to keep students learning in person and to avoid burdening families with child care challenges due to quarantines when case rates increase in schools,” Engel said.
The district will continue to practice physical distancing where possible, provide free access to antigen and PCR COVID testing and promote good health etiquette, such as hand-washing and requiring students to stay home and get tested when sick.
“Thank you for your flexibility, patience, and understanding as we continue to adjust to the changing conditions in this pandemic,” Engel said.
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