Masking policy Arlington Diocesan Schools

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Arlington and Alexandria just sued over the EO. What will the diocese do when they get confirmation that the Governor's EO violates state law and therefore isn't in effect?

If—if—a court rules that schools can still require masks, the decision will be appealed. And the Diocese will continue to keep its “mask optional” policy in place. Remember, that was the original Diocese plan for the 2021-22 school year. They only required masks when governor Northam forced them to.

So, sorry - the days of Etsy mask theater are not coming back to the Arlington Diocese.

Freedom is like that - once people get a taste of it, it’s harder to take it away. And there will be no different outcomes in the “mask optional” and “mask requires” schools that would justify a return to taking parents’ freedom away.

No go stew some more about all those “RWNJ” getting away with it. You know that’s what this is all about.

This is the type of case that will be ruled upon on an expedited basis. It will be quick. We'll get to see how closely aligned the Dioceses is to the Republican party. They won't be able to hind behind the EO for long. The NOVA schools will be hurt by many disillusioned parents who will see public school as a better option and/or will stop their typical donations. I think this hurts the Nova Catholic schools more than it helps them.

Again, this is not a “Republican” or “Democrat” thing; it’s a parental rights question.

The Arlington Diocese already has issued plans for a MASK OPTIONAL 2021-22 school year back in August. It wasn’t a “Republican” thing then either—this was before Biden turned COVID into a political wedge issue. The only reason the Diocese ever followed a MASK MANDATE was because then-governor Northam forced them to with his August 2021 executive order.

Regardless of what happens in the court cases, one thing is clear and indisputable—Northam’s mask mandate is gone. The Arlington Diocese will go back to its original plan for the 2021-22 school year: MASKS OPTIONAL.

If I recall, the original plan was to leave it up to the schools to decide. I remember filling out a survey our school sent over the summer asking what our feelings on the topic were. In the end it didn't matter since the governor came out with the mandate (which I was happy about because it took the pressure off the school).

I know of at least one family who has already indicated they'll be leaving, so there might be some turnover but it seems like most people I've talked to aren't so worried that they would consider that necessary. Then again, my kids and their friends are all vaccinated/boosted so it's a slightly older crowd than the families with all pre-K and younger. I can see how that would be a different calculation.

This is exactly why I'm happy about Youngkin's order. Had he not provided for parent choice, our diocesan school would never going to have the strength or fortitude to unmask until COVID is completely irradiated. It has too start somewhere.

May as well have it start with an unlawful order during a Covid surge, right?!

FTFY - may as well have it start when symptoms and mortality are in line with the flu

The U.S. had 15,000 COVID deaths last week.

Think about it for a moment. What is being done to treat the sick people here. What are we doing worse, relative to some other non-western countries who have been much more successful than us. And why are we doing worse than them?

I will not give you any answers at all.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:As much as I hate the cold, I plan on holding more lessons outside if kids are unmasked in my class. Please send your kids with masks and quality outerwear, just in case! I know it sounds extreme, but I have to take care of myself (cancer survivor) and my elderly mother.

Threatening to abuse our children by freezing them in the cold over this is really sick. You should not be around kids.

Then. Keep. Them. Home.

Problem solved.

How frigging DARE you say that to a cancer survivor trying to protect her elderly mother, you entitled witch.

I am the teacher who posted this. I am the cancer survivor and parent to two school age children. I do not feel comfortable teaching unmasked students. I don’t see how some people cannot have empathy. I feel like too many in our society think only about “Me, Myself and I”. I taught hybrid last year in a mask. I am also teaching this year. Do any of you know hard it is to teach in a mask. It is one thing to have to wear one for a meeting here or there, or to go to the store. Teachers have had to put up with so much during the pandemic. Diocesan teachers supppied in-person teaching last year. We bent over backwards. Our school has 30 kids per class. Our admin had to find extra space in the bulding to separate kids. We gave up lunch periods, planning periods “for the kids”. Now, when we just want to feel safer during this surge, the true colors of many families are showing. The Bishop’s letter just made it easier for me to quit my job. I will probably push throufh till the end of this school year “for the kids”.

Empty threat on anonymous mommy board. Sad. Doubt you are even a real teacher. If you are, please just go get a union job with the county. You'll be much happier...
Anyways, all teachers were at our school today and almost every kid had smiling mask-free faces. So, yeah, enough of the fake outrage and willingness to make children suffer.

I am the teacher that posted above. I did quit today. I will stay till the end of the school year because I do not want to burden our admin with yet another task. I will not work for the county, because, guess what? Like many Catholic school teachers, we really do not have to work. I may look for a job in another field. I am done with dealing with parents who only think of themselves.

Best of luck in the future!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As much as I hate the cold, I plan on holding more lessons outside if kids are unmasked in my class. Please send your kids with masks and quality outerwear, just in case! I know it sounds extreme, but I have to take care of myself (cancer survivor) and my elderly mother.

Threatening to abuse our children by freezing them in the cold over this is really sick. You should not be around kids.

Then. Keep. Them. Home.

Problem solved.

How frigging DARE you say that to a cancer survivor trying to protect her elderly mother, you entitled witch.

I am the teacher who posted this. I am the cancer survivor and parent to two school age children. I do not feel comfortable teaching unmasked students. I don’t see how some people cannot have empathy. I feel like too many in our society think only about “Me, Myself and I”. I taught hybrid last year in a mask. I am also teaching this year. Do any of you know hard it is to teach in a mask. It is one thing to have to wear one for a meeting here or there, or to go to the store. Teachers have had to put up with so much during the pandemic. Diocesan teachers supppied in-person teaching last year. We bent over backwards. Our school has 30 kids per class. Our admin had to find extra space in the bulding to separate kids. We gave up lunch periods, planning periods “for the kids”. Now, when we just want to feel safer during this surge, the true colors of many families are showing. The Bishop’s letter just made it easier for me to quit my job. I will probably push throufh till the end of this school year “for the kids”.

Empty threat on anonymous mommy board. Sad. Doubt you are even a real teacher. If you are, please just go get a union job with the county. You'll be much happier...
Anyways, all teachers were at our school today and almost every kid had smiling mask-free faces. So, yeah, enough of the fake outrage and willingness to make children suffer.

What school, PP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As much as I hate the cold, I plan on holding more lessons outside if kids are unmasked in my class. Please send your kids with masks and quality outerwear, just in case! I know it sounds extreme, but I have to take care of myself (cancer survivor) and my elderly mother.

Threatening to abuse our children by freezing them in the cold over this is really sick. You should not be around kids.

Then. Keep. Them. Home.

Problem solved.

How frigging DARE you say that to a cancer survivor trying to protect her elderly mother, you entitled witch.

I am the teacher who posted this. I am the cancer survivor and parent to two school age children. I do not feel comfortable teaching unmasked students. I don’t see how some people cannot have empathy. I feel like too many in our society think only about “Me, Myself and I”. I taught hybrid last year in a mask. I am also teaching this year. Do any of you know hard it is to teach in a mask. It is one thing to have to wear one for a meeting here or there, or to go to the store. Teachers have had to put up with so much during the pandemic. Diocesan teachers supppied in-person teaching last year. We bent over backwards. Our school has 30 kids per class. Our admin had to find extra space in the bulding to separate kids. We gave up lunch periods, planning periods “for the kids”. Now, when we just want to feel safer during this surge, the true colors of many families are showing. The Bishop’s letter just made it easier for me to quit my job. I will probably push throufh till the end of this school year “for the kids”.

Empty threat on anonymous mommy board. Sad. Doubt you are even a real teacher. If you are, please just go get a union job with the county. You'll be much happier...
Anyways, all teachers were at our school today and almost every kid had smiling mask-free faces. So, yeah, enough of the fake outrage and willingness to make children suffer.

What school, PP?

Yes, which school? And are there openings? Also, is there a list of schools that are mask-optional for vaccinated students? I for one would love to know. I'd like to have a choice whether or not I can send my healthy, vaccinated child to school without a mask. This area is so polarized. There is no common sense - only LWNJ and RWNJ - apparently. Or maybe not, given the number of views and varied responses - it seems like there is a critical mass of rational adults who just want mask-wearing optional for their healthy, vaccinated children...

[Anonymous]

I am almost certain one of the teachers are our school will leave over this. It is super upsetting because she is wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As much as I hate the cold, I plan on holding more lessons outside if kids are unmasked in my class. Please send your kids with masks and quality outerwear, just in case! I know it sounds extreme, but I have to take care of myself (cancer survivor) and my elderly mother.

Threatening to abuse our children by freezing them in the cold over this is really sick. You should not be around kids.

Then. Keep. Them. Home.

Problem solved.

How frigging DARE you say that to a cancer survivor trying to protect her elderly mother, you entitled witch.

I am the teacher who posted this. I am the cancer survivor and parent to two school age children. I do not feel comfortable teaching unmasked students. I don’t see how some people cannot have empathy. I feel like too many in our society think only about “Me, Myself and I”. I taught hybrid last year in a mask. I am also teaching this year. Do any of you know hard it is to teach in a mask. It is one thing to have to wear one for a meeting here or there, or to go to the store. Teachers have had to put up with so much during the pandemic. Diocesan teachers supppied in-person teaching last year. We bent over backwards. Our school has 30 kids per class. Our admin had to find extra space in the bulding to separate kids. We gave up lunch periods, planning periods “for the kids”. Now, when we just want to feel safer during this surge, the true colors of many families are showing. The Bishop’s letter just made it easier for me to quit my job. I will probably push throufh till the end of this school year “for the kids”.

Empty threat on anonymous mommy board. Sad. Doubt you are even a real teacher. If you are, please just go get a union job with the county. You'll be much happier...
Anyways, all teachers were at our school today and almost every kid had smiling mask-free faces. So, yeah, enough of the fake outrage and willingness to make children suffer.

I am the teacher that posted above. I did quit today. I will stay till the end of the school year because I do not want to burden our admin with yet another task. I will not work for the county, because, guess what? Like many Catholic school teachers, we really do not have to work. I may look for a job in another field. I am done with dealing with parents who only think of themselves.

I forgot to add, we sent home a kid this morning, who was not wearing a mask. He was feeling ill, headache, sniffles. Yeah, that was just today.

Even kids with a mask shouldn’t be in school with those symptoms. And the mask probably makes it a lot harder to spot!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am almost certain one of the teachers are our school will leave over this. It is super upsetting because she is wonderful.

As a healthy but older teacher who teaches because I love it and not for the paycheck, if someone ordered me to risk my health in a classroom for any reason, I would be out the door so fast their heads would spin.

I pity the vast majority of teachers who don't have that luxury.

[Anonymous]

My 8th grader stated that in his homeroom (22 students), one 1 didn't wear a mask. And it's no surprise as this student was constantly being reprimanded for not following mask rules and in addition stated that COVID was fictitious/invented by the government.

My younger child stated that in his homeroom there were more kids with masks - maybe 7 went maskless?

I too worry about some of our teachers with pre-existing health concerns, and whether or not they will stay. They are great teachers and I will be so sad to see them leave.

[Anonymous]

So for people who strongly support masking. My child is currently with Covid. When he goes back next week, what is my benefit to masking him. I’m very much in the go with the group to get along type person, but now that we all have Covid after doing all the right things I’m not sure I’m going to have my kid wearing a mask now. Seems like the only benefit of having Covid…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 8th grader stated that in his homeroom (22 students), one 1 didn't wear a mask. And it's no surprise as this student was constantly being reprimanded for not following mask rules and in addition stated that COVID was fictitious/invented by the government.

My younger child stated that in his homeroom there were more kids with masks - maybe 7 went maskless?

I too worry about some of our teachers with pre-existing health concerns, and whether or not they will stay. They are great teachers and I will be so sad to see them leave.

About 10 of the 22 students in my daughter’s elementary class went maskless today. We sent her masked today but will go ahead and let her go maskless starting tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So for people who strongly support masking. My child is currently with Covid. When he goes back next week, what is my benefit to masking him. I’m very much in the go with the group to get along type person, but now that we all have Covid after doing all the right things I’m not sure I’m going to have my kid wearing a mask now. Seems like the only benefit of having Covid…

If your child currently has COVID, and no symptoms, they can return to school on day 6, but must still mask when around others at least days 6-10. Please do not send your infectious child back to school maskless! Your benefit to masking is not speeding it to other kids.

Hello, how are we still having these conversations?!

[Anonymous]

A number of kids were removing their masks during the day, I’m told. I witnessed the 6-8 graders putting their masks back on as they left school to catch their rides home. I was mortified.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So for people who strongly support masking. My child is currently with Covid. When he goes back next week, what is my benefit to masking him. I’m very much in the go with the group to get along type person, but now that we all have Covid after doing all the right things I’m not sure I’m going to have my kid wearing a mask now. Seems like the only benefit of having Covid…

If your child currently has COVID, and no symptoms, they can return to school on day 6, but must still mask when around others at least days 6-10. Please do not send your infectious child back to school maskless! Your benefit to masking is not speeding it to other kids.

Hello, how are we still having these conversations?!

No you are misinterpreting my question. First, our school has a 10 day policy (it’s prek). I meant what’s the benefit to wearing a mask after day 10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A number of kids were removing their masks during the day, I’m told. I witnessed the 6-8 graders putting their masks back on as they left school to catch their rides home. I was mortified.

Wow, I hadn’t thought of this. Presumably those kids’ parents are expecting them to wear masks throughout the day and haven’t opted out. How are schools and teachers going to enforce it and keep track of who is supposed to mask and who isn’t?

[Anonymous]

What a horrible policy. Some kids will continue to wear masks to protect themselves or others at home and will be bullied for it.