Dupage Policy Journal

Citing a steady stream of positive data, Indian Prairie School District 204 Superintendent Adrian Talley recently announced the district will become mask optional beginning Feb. 22.

“We will move to masks recommended and not required for all students in grades K-12 and staff,” Talley said on the Indian Prairie School District website. “Early childhood students, those in our PreK program at all sites, will need to continue to wear masks because they are not able to be vaccinated.”

The change comes just days after a Sangamon County judge issued a temporary restraining order on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s statewide school mask mandate.

“Though the TRO is focused on the families in the lawsuit, our data seems to reflect a positive trend, we can start to de-layer our mitigation strategies for all students and staff,” Talley said. “Masks are highly recommended for all; however, they will not be required. Masks are still required of all students on buses as that is a federal requirement.”

Talley also stressed civility and acceptance.

“With this shift, it is important for all students and staff to know we are allowing people to make their choice and there should not be any questioning why such choices were made or bullying or harassing of people for their choices,” he said. “We are a community of learners who celebrate our differences. We need to rebuild relationships as a school community and treat each other with the civility and kindness that we did prior to the pandemic.”

As of Feb. 15, Naperville School District 203 also became a mask-optional institution.

“Based on Naperville 203’s metrics and our ability to successfully mitigate risk, we are confident that we are ready to adjust our mitigations and continue to provide a safe learning environment for all,” Superintendent of Schools Dan Bridges told Smore.com. “Beginning February 15, 2022, masking will be strongly recommended, but not required, for all students, staff, and visitors, in all Naperville 203 facilities.”

Bridges said COVID positive students/employees will be required to be excluded from school (close contacts will be informed) and unvaccinated faculty and staff members are not required to test weekly.

According to NCTV17.com, district officials made the decision to update policy based on the ongoing delay in the decision of the appeal to the temporary restraining order to school masking that was put in place by a Sangamon County judge.

Mask requirements will remain in place for early childhood and pre-school students as there is not currently a vaccine for individuals 5 years old and younger.

Naperville Community Unit School District 203 is home to one early childhood center, 14 elementary schools, 5 junior high schools and two high schools.