Schools
Ready To Unmask Kids? Here's What Basking Ridge Parents Say
Patch asked local parents whether they'll be OK with their kids not masking at school when it becomes optional. Here's what they said.
BASKING RIDGE, NJ — With Bernards Township Schools opting to follow state's guidance and shift to a mask optional policy beginning on March 7, Patch asked readers whether they will allow their children to go maskless.
The responses were mixed among Basking Ridge readers. Here are some of the responses:
"My son wears a mask as a member of the US Army. If it is good enough for him, it's good enough for me. As a teacher - I will be masked," said one commenter.
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"No mask!!! Can’t wait!! Should start immediately. But covid knows," said a reader.
"100% no mask. All of the kids leave school and hang out without masks on so what is the point," said a reader.
Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"I teach middle school gifted. Have yet to hear any kids complain about the masks as much as I’m hearing here," said a teacher.
"No mask. My kid wrestles so a mask at this point is useless," said a parent.
Board of Education President Robin McKeon announced the shift to mask optional at the Feb. 7 meeting. Read More: Basking Ridge Schools Will Be Mask Optional Beginning March 7
"It was always in our plan... that as soon as it was allowable then masks will be optional. So now the governor is making it allowable," McKeon said at the meeting.
This follows Gov. Phil Murphy's announcement to end the statewide mandate in schools on March 7 but left it up to individual school districts and daycare centers to decide if they wish to continue mask requirements afterward if they choose. Read More: Schools Can Extend Mask Mandate, But NJ Requirement Ends In March
People who choose to wear masks may continue to do so. Murphy will extend New Jersey's public-health state of emergency for one more month to allow schools to make the adjustment.
When masks become optional in K-12 schools, will you let your child go to school without a mask? Why or why not? Comment below, or join the conversation on the Basking Ridge Patch Facebook page.
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