Downers Grove District 58 Schools Shift To Mask Optional Policy

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Two weeks before Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker lifts a statewide mask mandate for residents, students and staff in Downers Grove Grade School District 58 got a reprieve from face-coverings in the classroom starting on Monday.

The district’s school board approved a measure making masks optional last week which made Monday the first time that students did not have to keep their mouths and noses covered while at school. The board approved the changes to the district’s mitigation plan, which also includes unvaccinated teachers no longer being forced to be tested for COVID-19 on a daily basis.

Students who are considered “close contacts” to someone who has previously tested positive for COVID-19 no longer have to remain at home, according to the policy change approved by the board.

In a memo sent to District 58 families after the decision last week, students and staff were reminded to respect the decision of the board. Despite the change affecting students and staff, visitors inside district building will still be required to wear masks, the district said.

Students are also required to wear masks while on the school bus, which is mandated by federal guidelines, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

The district said it will continue to provide free KN-95 masks to anyone who requests one. District officials said that they will follow the progress of the court proceedings involving masks in school. A Temporary Restraining Order of Pritzker’s mask mandate has already been appealed and motions have been filed to stay the TRO have been filed, the district said in the memo.

If necessary, district officials said that they may need to reinstate the mask mandate at school buildings. Pritzker said last week that while he is lifting the statewide mask mandate starting Feb. 28, schools were not included in that change. The governor said he will likely lift the mask mandate for public schools “within weeks”.

“The guidance also recommends a layered approach to removing mitigations, which is what District 58 will do,” the memo said. “District 58′s instructional spacing will remain at three feet, and lunch and recess will be handled in the same way as they are today. In addition, staff will maintain six feet of distancing in instructional spaces to the greatest extent possible.

“Finally, District 58 asks all families and staff to please respect one another’s mask choices and to treat each other with kindness. District 58 teaches its students to be kind and respectfully requests everyone to lead by example.”