D47 Explores Classrooms Where Masks Would Be Required

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 announced this week that masks will be encouraged for students returning to school in the coming weeks but will not be required. Now the school district is asking parents if they'd be interested in D47 setting up classrooms where masks would be required and that are separate from classrooms where no mask mandate is in place.

A survey sent out to D47 parents Thursday, days after D47 officials said they'd not be requiring masks at school, is meant to gauge interest in a classroom at each grade level, preschool through fifth grade, where masks would need to be worn.

"At this time, we are gauging interest in this idea. When we know how many parents are interested, we'll explore parameters around the concept," D47 spokeswoman Denise Barr told Patch.

During Monday's school board meeting, school officials laid out their plans for the new school year. D47 schools will be encouraging mask use for those who are not vaccinated but will be focused on "teaching and learning and building relationships with students and families," officials said.

Air purifiers have been installed at D47 schools, and voluntary COVID-19 screening testing will be in place to identify cases and outbreaks. In addition, classrooms will return to pre-COVID size limits and full days of instruction will begin again, according to D47 documents.

Remote learning will only be offered when students must be in quarantine due to COVID, but it will not be offered as an instructional model. The school district will be promoting vaccinations to students who are eligible — but currently, COVID-19 vaccines are only available for those 12 years old and older.

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