Eastchester changes protocols to prepare students for end of mask mandate

The trustees voted 7-0 to let kids go without masks outdoors, to eat lunch normally and to stop social distancing once legally allowed to.

News 12 Staff

Feb 10, 2022, 3:43 AM

Updated 1,032 days ago

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As the state ditches its indoor mask mandate, places like schools will still require face coverings.
That mandate is set to expire Feb. 21.
Gov. Kathy Hochul says she'll reassess the need for it in March after the February break.
However, one Hudson Valley school district is already making changes to its protocols to prepare its students for when mandates are removed.
There was a heated school board meeting at Eastchester High School Wednesday night.
Parents at the meeting shouted at each other, but the resolution that the board adopted Wednesday night makes it one of just a few districts so far to change protocols. The trustees voted 7-0 to let kids go without masks outdoors, to eat lunch normally and to stop social distancing once legally allowed to.
Most of the teachers, parents and board members say they want to figure out a way to ease COVID-19 restrictions, but they disagree on the details.
The resolution the board adopted Wednesday says when mandates change - if the district feels it's right - kids will be able to go outside without masks, eat lunch together normally and stop social distancing.
Some in the crowd wanted to make sure experts were involved.
Others, even a trustee, said the resolution doesn't change anything - that kids already go outside unmasked, for example.
After all the shouting and the debate about the damage distancing and masking is doing, the resolution passed, but it doesn't change anything.
Still, a lot of parents at the meeting say that they are just happy to see what feels like some sort of step forward for what's next.
Other district, like White Plains, are sending out notes to parents reminding them nothing has changed yet and kids must still wear masks.