Anonymous wrote:Why are people in this thread saying masks don’t work when the studies show otherwise? University of Michigan examined masking in schools and found spread was 62% higher in schools without masks.

https://www.abc12.com/coronavirus/university-of-michigan-study-shows-mask-mandates-at-schools-show-lower-covid-transmission-rates/article_9dfcd525-94d5-50cb-9b00-ac1c2171d7fe.html

Facts be damned.

The freedom fighter SAHMs believe they know better than actual science.
Hope they found the irony in championing personal choice while they picked up Bitsy from the March for
Life on Friday.

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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.

They count anyone who does WITH COVID as a “COVID death.” How many were motorcycle accidents, heart attacks, and deaths of 80+ year olds with other co-morbidities?

Wow you really don't understand the numbers you speak of at all. Amazing!

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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.

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...

Are you paying attention? You have a choice at literally every school, public or private in VA now. What are you talking about?

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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?

Yes I agree our school has not done a good job communicating that they are no longer enforcing masking. Our teachers don’t know which kids have opted out.

Right. If this is about “parent choice” shouldn’t the school be enforcing masking for the families that have opted to continue? Seems like it should work both ways if the whole underlying premise is parental choice for each family. Hmm, guess that was actually just a cover for unmasking, huh?

Teachers have too much on their plates already. They cannot spend more energy policing maskers vs. non-maskers. This is why optional masking will be a sh*tshow!

I haven't read this thread, but I have a question.

Optional masking should mean that kids can mask or not, depending on choice. So a kid can mask today and not mask tomorrow, depending on choice. Why should the teachers be policing what kids do on their choice on any day? When a behavior is by choice, and choice can change over time even for a given kid, then there should not be any tracking of any sort.

The executive order frames it as if the parents have a choice.

In reality, the children are running the show here, as teachers have lost the right to 1) protest when they have to share a room with unvaccinated people who don't wear a mask and are not socially distant and 2) tell children that they SPOKE to the parent and the parent said they want the child do X/Y & Z.

So, yeah, the six year olds are really in charge now.

That always works out great.

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.

The policy is, "do not question the children".

The consequence for ignoring the policy could be immediate termination in Virginia.

Anonymous wrote:Just a reminder about the online petition, since that got buried further up in the thread.

https://www.change.org/p/arlington-diocese-families-and-community-members-re-instate-the-mask-requirement-at-arlington-catholic-schools?redirect=false

Thanks! But what else are people doing?

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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?

Yes I agree our school has not done a good job communicating that they are no longer enforcing masking. Our teachers don’t know which kids have opted out.

Right. If this is about “parent choice” shouldn’t the school be enforcing masking for the families that have opted to continue? Seems like it should work both ways if the whole underlying premise is parental choice for each family. Hmm, guess that was actually just a cover for unmasking, huh?

Teachers have too much on their plates already. They cannot spend more energy policing maskers vs. non-maskers. This is why optional masking will be a sh*tshow!

I haven't read this thread, but I have a question.

Optional masking should mean that kids can mask or not, depending on choice. So a kid can mask today and not mask tomorrow, depending on choice. Why should the teachers be policing what kids do on their choice on any day? When a behavior is by choice, and choice can change over time even for a given kid, then there should not be any tracking of any sort.

I find it funny that Catholic schools that give choices about nothing (not even sock color) this choice is a good idea on this of all things

+1000! great point

Yep. Maybe I can just cite “parent choice” and opt my child out of our Catholic school’s dress code. We find the fabric itchy and not breathable enough. Nobody can possibly be expected to have those fabrics touch their skin for 7 hours a day! It’s not good for their social-emotional health.

I would LOVE to say that when my little kid has been dinged because I allowed them to were short, non snow boot tie ugg boots in an appropriate school color to keep them warm at recess or when on dress down day they wore shorts of an appropriate length that weren’t gym shorts. My choice to keep my kid warm at recess or cool and not in a weird outfit in the spring.

How many people on this thread do you all think are trolls?

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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?

Wow, you really don't understand kids! (hint: they are all going to do this!)

So many parents state there kids are fine, don’t mind, like masks etc. I guess we will see how many teams in masked.

It’s a collective issue. When more people masks, others are likely to follow. When more unmask, kids will feel some pressure to do the same. That’s why parent choice is sort of a false cover since schools are clearly not going to honor or enforce the parents’ preferences.

Is it a breach of contract to do away with masks mid-year?

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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?

Wow, you really don't understand kids! (hint: they are all going to do this!)

So many parents state there kids are fine, don’t mind, like masks etc. I guess we will see how many teams in masked.

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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?

Wow, you really don't understand kids! (hint: they are all going to do this!)

Just a reminder about the online petition, since that got buried further up in the thread.

https://www.change.org/p/arlington-diocese-families-and-community-members-re-instate-the-mask-requirement-at-arlington-catholic-schools?redirect=false

My young elementary child reported that about 6 out of 22 kids were not in masks today. I kind of thought it would be higher given the conservative bent of our parish. Interestingly the teacher, who literally just had Covid, was still wearing a mask and told the kids she doesn’t want to get sick again.

We had to indicate whether our child will continue to wear a mask or not. The seating chart was changed so that kids wearing masks are near each other and kids not wearing masks are near each other. I am glad about this since it affects quarantines for the kids who aren’t vaccinated. I’d also rather not increase my child’s chances of getting Covid at school again. He got it earlier this year from the child sitting next to him who was not good at wearing a mask (shocker they’re one of the 6 not wearing one now). I am guessing the kids who are still wearing masks tend to come from families who don’t go out of their way to take crazy risks when Covid numbers are high. I’d rather my kid be seated around those kids than the ones whose parents think Covid is fake news.

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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?

Yes I agree our school has not done a good job communicating that they are no longer enforcing masking. Our teachers don’t know which kids have opted out.

Right. If this is about “parent choice” shouldn’t the school be enforcing masking for the families that have opted to continue? Seems like it should work both ways if the whole underlying premise is parental choice for each family. Hmm, guess that was actually just a cover for unmasking, huh?

Teachers have too much on their plates already. They cannot spend more energy policing maskers vs. non-maskers. This is why optional masking will be a sh*tshow!

I haven't read this thread, but I have a question.

Optional masking should mean that kids can mask or not, depending on choice. So a kid can mask today and not mask tomorrow, depending on choice. Why should the teachers be policing what kids do on their choice on any day? When a behavior is by choice, and choice can change over time even for a given kid, then there should not be any tracking of any sort.

I find it funny that Catholic schools that give choices about nothing (not even sock color) this choice is a good idea on this of all things

+1000! great point

Yep. Maybe I can just cite “parent choice” and opt my child out of our Catholic school’s dress code. We find the fabric itchy and not breathable enough. Nobody can possibly be expected to have those fabrics touch their skin for 7 hours a day! It’s not good for their social-emotional health.

I like your thinking. We should be friends! 😜. Also, that whole walking in quiet straight lines down the hallways makes the kids look like sheeple!