Updated: 6:20 PM CDT May 13, 2021 In a tight vote, Waukesha s School Board on Wednesday night decided to lift most COVID-19 restrictions, and the decision was put to the test less than 10 hours later. Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in Wisconsin I came in the building, and there was a teacher. She was like temp checks are no longer, masks are optional, senior Stephanie Aguado said.Effective immediately the Waukesha public schools mask mandate is over. I m very excited that it s an option, and I m not forced to wear a mask. I just think it s better for me and for others sometimes, student Stephanie Neitzke said.At Waukesha South, the decision was the topic of conversation. People were saying if you don t wear a mask, it s disrespectful, and it s kind of started an argument among a bunch of the students, junior Breckin Posta said. It s creating like unneeded conflict. It s like 18 days left of school. We didn t need this, junior Ashlyn Skinner-Barrett said.Five sch
Waukesha School Board votes to make masks optional in schools
WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) The Waukesha School Board voted Wednesday night, May 12, to remove the mask mandate in its schools and at district functions. The decision passed in a 5-4 vote.
The district also voted to reinstate field trips, make drinking fountains functional and there will be no Covid restrictions for students playing together during recess.
Dozens of Waukesha School District parents rallied to make masks optional in schools prior to the school board s decision on masks moving forward.
Dozens of parents rally outside School District of Waukesha office before the school board meeting begins at 7 pm, they have one message “unmask our children” @CBS58pic.twitter.com/vka51CmjRS Cearron Bagenda (@CearronBagenda) May 12, 2021
A group of parents has started a petition calling for the Pewaukee School District to make masks optional as well as to revise its quarantine policies.
The petition calls for the changes to occur immediately. It said requiring children to wear masks is unlawful and unhealthy and that parents should be the ones making decisions regarding their children s safety and well-being.
As of May 7, the petition had more than 500 signatures. It is unclear whether all those who have signed are parents of Pewaukee students. We have legitimate medical, religious and philosophical reasons for wanting our children free of masks, the petition said.
Waukesha County has announced new COVID-19 quarantine guidelines for its schools.
The county said in a news release May 6 that in partnership with area school districts, the new quarantine guidelines will be relaxed to allow students and staff possibly exposed to COVID-19 in school settings to continue in-person learning if:
the school has committed to health measures that include masks, social distancing, handwashing, ventilation and COVID-19 symptom management.
close contacts remain free of symptoms and self-monitor for symptoms for a full 14 days after exposure.
close contacts will immediately remove themselves from school if they develop symptoms. Close contacts are also encouraged to get tested six or seven days after exposure to help identify asymptomatic spread.