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It's official: No mask mandate for FUESD

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

Beginning Monday, March 14, students in the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District will not be required to wear masks at their schools. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced lifting that mandate on Feb. 28 and, the same evening, FUESD Superintendent Candace Singh told the school board that the district may do likewise.

Singh explained to the board that she wanted to wait to see if the San Diego County Public Health Department would follow the governor’s new policy. After that proved to not hinder the change, the superintendent sent a letter to parents on March 4, stating the masks would be optional beginning March 14.

“Counties were given the opportunity to implement masking requirements for schools within their jurisdictions,” she explained in the letter. “We are now able to confirm the County of San Diego will directly align with California Department of Public Health guidance regarding masks.”

“I personally want to thank every FUESD family for their continued understanding and partnership,” she wrote. “Together we have been able to keep our community healthy and our students in the classroom.”

The county follows the state Department of Public Health guidance that “strongly recommends everyone wear a face covering in indoor public settings, whether you have been vaccinated or not.”

During the public comments part of the Feb. 24 school board meeting, prior to Singh’s comments, several parents repeated the months-long plea for the board to make masks optional.

Other speakers included an appeal for more shade at William H. Frazier Elementary School, and a parent at San Onofre Elementary School who urged the district to again allow parent volunteers on campus. The superintendent addressed both concerns later in the meeting during the “discussion agenda for items for consideration.”

Singh said the district plans an “shade analysis” and will soon review construction projects for the summer. The district recently improved its wi-fi system on all its campus locations to reach outside areas, something that will allow outdoor learning centers.

The district’s parent volunteer policy is also an “important conversation,” she said.

The next school board meeting is on Monday, March 14, at 6 p.m.

Students in the Fallbrook Union High School District are also free of the mask mandates effective March 14.

 

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