District 225 Moves To 'Mask-Recommended' Environment Immediately

GLENVIEW, IL — While still recommending the wearing of masks, Glenbrook High School District 225 will no longer require students, teachers and staff to wear them on the campuses, with a few exceptions. The board of education held a special meeting Saturday to discuss the matter following the Illinois Appellate court decision Friday declaring the appeal related to mask mandates in schools to be "moot."

"I want to reiterate that it is an individual's personal choice to wear or not wear a mask. Each individual should proceed in a manner that enables them to feel comfortable and safe in our buildings," Superintendent Dr. Charles Johns said in a letter to parents shared with Patch. "While we are still transitioning, I ask everyone to recognize that we have many students and staff with health concerns for whom this transition will be difficult. Wearing masks will afford them a greater degree of comfort through the transition."

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Components of the mask-recommended environment, according to the district, will include:

• Masks must be worn in the health offices and athletic training rooms
• Masks must be worn on buses and school transportation
• Mask wearing may be required, on a limited basis, to comply with student/staff ADA accommodations
• Mask wearing may be required as an added mitigation if there are future spikes in cases
• Mask wearing may be required in adherence to future executive, legislative or judicial orders
• No student or staff member will be required to go mask-less
• The District will utilize normal disciplinary procedures to address teasing, bullying, and harassment of students and staff regarding mask-wearing.

"We encourage you to take this opportunity to make the best decision for your family regarding masking and discuss this with your student, so they are clear as to your wishes," Johns said. "Please understand that staff cannot reasonably be expected to monitor or enforce student compliance with family preferences regarding mask-wearing. We will be mindful of giving students reminders to adhere to their family preferences."

School rules will apply to all extracurriculars, events, sports, etc., according to the district. SHIELD Testing will continue for those who choose to participate:

• Glenbrook Administration Building testing: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
• GBN testing: 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
• GBS testing: 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

"While we are still transitioning, I ask everyone to recognize that we have many students and staff with health concerns for whom this transition will be difficult," Johns said. "Wearing masks will afford them a greater degree of comfort through the transition."