CCS students, staff happy as wearing of masks now optional

As of March 9, the requirement for students and staff to wear a mask or face covering at Chase County Schools (CCS) became optional.
“We are still following our same guidelines where the public is not allowed in the building,” said Adam Lambert, superintendent of schools.
All safety protocols are still in place, he said.
Temperatures are still being taken, hand sanitizer is used every time students enter the classrooms, desks and chairs are cleaned following every class and students from the same family are seated together on buses but separate from others.
“The only thing that has changed is that masks are currently recommended but no longer required,” Lambert said.
For the majority of CCS students and staff, it was a relief to go from “required” to “recommended” on masks, he said.
“I would say that I have seen less than 5%, building-wide, still wearing a mask at this point in time,” he added.
The requirement to wear face masks has been in place since the beginning of the school year, said Becky Odens, K-6 principal.
“The staff and students were very excited to receive the news of face masks being suggested but not required,” said Odens. “We have a few staff members and students that are still wearing masks.”
    Arlys Cupp said her second grade students were very excited and cheered when the announcement was made.
    “Most students are not wearing masks, but a few say they feel better and safer with them on,” Cupp said.
    They are encouraged to do what they feel most comfortable with or what their parents want them to do, she said.
    “No one is looked down on for wearing their mask,” she added.
    The secretaries are frontline staff members who many times “see it all.”
    Sherri Wheeler, K-6 secretary, said the day they announced the news about the masks, she could hear the students in the halls cheering.
    “I watched a staff member throw their mask and whooped and hollered in a little dance,” Wheeler laughed.
    Everyone has been wearing masks for so long it had become the norm.
    “Any time we get up to go anywhere and suddenly remember we don’t have to wear our mask anymore, it feels really weird,” she said.
Facts, another comment
    Angie Paisley, school nurse, said the kids are thrilled about the news.
“I support the administration’s informed decision,” said Paisley.

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