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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — More than 100 doctors in the Fox Valley are asking the Appleton Area School District to reconsider its face masking policy for next school year.
Right now, the district is face mask-optional, with the possibility of automatically requiring masks if COVID-19 spread reaches a certain level. Parents like Jill Lang prefer the district keep the current policy.
“I would probably pull my daughter and put her at a private school because I just don’t feel the benefit of that outweighs the mental health issues,” said Lang.
Some parents like Emily Tseffos support the letter.
“I was really happy about it. I saw our pediatrician on there along with other pediatricians,” said Tseffos. “I saw my primary care doctor on there. It was really cool to see the healthcare community in this area kind of stepping in and saying here’s what we need to do to keep our kids safe.”
AASD provided a statement on Superintendent Judy Baseman’s behalf.
“We appreciate the dedication that these providers have shown and continue to show to our students, staff, families, and wider community. Since the beginning of the pandemic our healthcare partners have supported our efforts to help keep everyone safe, and we value their input and ongoing collaboration with us.
Our recommended mitigation protocols that were recently approved by the Board of Education on July 26, 2021, give flexibility to the District administration to respond as needed to changing conditions to protect the health and safety of our students and staff. The District Leadership Team will collaborate with local public health officials to review cases and data on a continuous basis.Our recommended mitigation protocols are flexible enough for us to respond to changes that may require adjustments. If adjustments are needed, they will be targeted and responsive to the specific situation within our classrooms, schools, programs, or facilities. Any updated expectations will be communicated to staff and families as soon as possible.
The school district has taken recommendations from the city’s public health office. Interim public health officer Sonja Jensen says that will continue throughout this school year.”
“Ultimately it is up to the school board and administration in what they decide to do and we’ll support them and work with them with what they decide.,” said Jensen.
According to Wisconsin Health Services Data, AASD’s 7-day average of daily confirmed cases is 9.86.
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