Optional Mask-Wearing By Students Begins Monday In Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Students in Falls Church City Public Schools will be allowed to attend classes without a mask starting Monday, based on a policy change approved by the school board last month.

The new Falls Church City School Board policy requires parents to complete a form to allow their children to attend Falls Church schools without a mask.

As of 1 p.m. Friday, Falls Church schools had received 67 opt-out forms, representing 2.6 percent of the student population of 2,533, a school system spokesman said.

When the opt-out period begins Monday, all Falls Church students will still be required to wear a mask on a school bus. A federal requirement remains in place for the wearing of masks on public transit.

On Wednesday, the Virginia Senate gave final approval to a school bill that includes an amendment introduced by Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) that prevents school divisions from enacting universal masking requirements depending on local COVID-19 transmission rates. The bill advanced to the Republican-controlled House of Delegates, which is expected to pass it.

Fairfax County Public Schools announced a mask roll-back plan on Thursday based on community COVID-19 transmission data and health expert recommendations. All of Northern Virginia, including Falls Church and Fairfax County, remains at high transmission levels.

Once Fairfax County reaches moderate transmission, FCPS will make masks optional. The mask mandate remains in place during high and substantial transmission levels.

"Because our plan is based on scientific data, we believe this plan gives us a roadmap to move forward safely," the school district shared in a message to families. "We must continue to respect and serve all our students, including our most vulnerable."