SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Students in New York will see a whole new life at school starting tomorrow. Governor Kathy Hochul announced earlier this week that schools no longer need to require masks. For local school district Fayetteville-Manlius, this change is in effect starting one day later on Thursday.
Like many schools, Fayetteville-Manlius schools are offering students to have the choice of whether or not to remain masked throughout the school day. However, according to F.M. School District Counselor Tracy Cicci, social distancing of three feet will still be intact for lunch and other specific activities.
School districts recognize that there are some who have been waiting for this day to come when masks aren’t required, but that there are also those who will continue to wear them regardless.
Ultimately, it’s still up to the student and the student’s family to make the decision. If a student has compromised family members at home, they are still welcome to continue mask-wearing.
Despite the sense of more freedom coming through school doors soon, there could also be room for potential issues and discriminatory acts amongst those who might or might not wear masks. School districts are prepared to handle these kinds of situations and not show any preferences among the students as well.
“We want to make sure kids aren’t going to feel discriminated against if they choose to wear masks,” Cicci said.
Issues might arise with the new change, but counselor Cicci is still optimistic for a sense of normalcy, especially seeing both sides of her profession and a parent.
“As far as the counselor in me, I think it’s a great option for our students. They haven’t seen their teachers faces and some of them haven’t even seen their friends faces,” she said. “As a parent, I think it’s awesome. I’m thrilled that my kids don’t have to wear masks. If they want to they can, absolutely I’ll support it.”
So while a new leaf might be turning soon, it could come with some time to get used to in local New York schools.
