Mask Mandates Lifted At Winnetka, Glencoe Elementary Schools

WINNETKA, IL — Administrators at public elementary schools in Glencoe and Winnetka announced that masking is no longer mandatory in their school buildings.

Face masks are now optional for students and staff — recommended but not required — following a court order issued Friday in a legal challenge brought by parents at Glencoe School District 35, Winnetka School District 36 and more than 140 other school districts across the state.

Sangamon County Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow granted a temporary restraining order in favor of the families and ruled that certain emergency orders issued by the J.B. Pritzker administration last year were now "null and void." State officials are appealing the order.

District 36 Superintendent Trisha Kocanda said the district would no longer be conducting its own contact tracing or excluding people from school if they were deemed a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Kocanda asked parents to talk to their students about the change ahead of Monday's return to school

"Remind students that we are safe in school with or without a mask," Kocanda suggested.

"Encourage them to be understanding of others' choices," she added. "We will continue to be kind to each other. If someone wears a mask that is okay and it is also okay to not wear a mask."

All members of the District 35 school board and Superintendent Catherine Wang said the district would abide by the temporary restraining order. In a joint statement, they said school staff would be using similar talking points with students.

"Explain that the requirements have changed and that masks are no longer required in school for students and each family may make the choice that is right for them," they said.

"As this change in practice will be a transition for all, we are committed to respecting all students, whether they choose to wear a mask or not," the district officials said. "Teaching and learning in a community of belonging will remain the focus in our classrooms. Please understand that our staff is unable to monitor if students are following each individual family’s mask preference. "

Related: Judge's School Mask Ruling 'Cultivates Chaos,' Governor Says

New Trier High School, which was not one of the districts listed as defendants in the case, will continue to require masks, its superintendent told families Sunday.

Superintendent Paul Sally said his administration had taken many steps to ensure the safety of school community during the pandemic, ranging from saliva testing, ventilation upgrades and vaccine and booster clinics.

"We also have a highly immunized school community. While scientific research supports the use of high-quality masks in preventing the spread of COVID-19, there are valid concerns about the mental health effects of requiring masks indefinitely, particularly among a highly vaccinated population," Sally said, noting that public health experts say N95-type masks can protect the wearer regardless of whether others are wearing masks.

"New Trier has been able to remain open for classes and extracurricular activities at a time when many other schools had temporary closures," Sally said, "because of our community’s support in preventing the spread of COVID at school."