DENVER (KDVR) — FOX31 has confirmed that all Denver Public Schools students, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear face coverings indoors.
The mask requirement will begin on Aug. 9, but exceptions will be made for staff members who are alone in their offices and have confirmed with their manager that they are vaccinated.
Charter schools will make their own decisions on mask guidelines.
Jennifer Percy is a mother of a preschooler and fifth graders.
“I get it, It’s not fun for them, but I get the need for it. I don’t know how (the preschooler is) going to do with it, because he’s pretty young,” Percy said.
With an uptick in cases over the last week, the district said it consulted the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment and said in a statement:
“Beginning Monday, Aug. 9, masks are required for all students, visitors and staff while in all DPS schools and buildings, regardless of vaccination status. This mask requirement includes any time individuals are meeting with staff or students.”
“I’m OK with it. I mean, I just want everyone to be safe. That’s really the priority here. Definitely in-person schooling is my priority. I want them there,” Vanessa Walsh, mother of two DPS students said.
DPS is the first district in the state to announce full masking for everyone in the schools.
The district said that “since the risk of COVID transmission is significantly lower outdoors, students and staff will not be required to wear masks outside.”
Parents and students might not like the idea or even agree with the mandate, but most agreed they would like to see kids back in class.
“As long they don’t do remote learning, I’m OK. Mask requirements, no mask requirement — as long as they’re in school, that’s a good thing,” Jeff Jones said.
“I think if we all get together and do it together, we can get through this,” Walsh said.