It was put out by a principal to another parent in my neighborhood. I filled it out and submitted it, and then emailed our daughter's teacher and principal to let them know. Her teacher responded and acknowledged it, so I'm pretty positive it is legit.

I think they are not linking anything on the website because they don't want it published.

That's really dumb. Just publish it

My LISD elementary kids didn't wear them today and no one said anything. My middle schooler said one of his teachers got an email instructing teachers they could not make kids wear masks. It's all a farce.

Nobody said anything to mine about not wearing masks.

BadMoonRisin said:

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Not sure about the mandate here in Pflugerville or not, but I walked my son to school this morning and didnt remind him to put his mask on. He walked in through the gym and didnt seem like the teacher holding the door said anything to him.

Honestly, if he wears it or not should be up to him. Id imagine if he saw everyone in the class wearing a mask, he might put one on, but he might not. Be curious to see. He has mentioned before that masks dont work because the virus is smaller than the holes in the mask (he's 6).

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My daughter says they wear them pretty decently until recess (10am) and then most of the class doesn't put it back on. They have snack time, lunch, then specials afterwards. She certainly doesn't. There is one very immunocomprised specials teacher that she says everyone will put it on willingly for her class (she was able to teach from home all last year, one of the few teachers allowed to do so), but she's a nice teacher so she says everyone is willing to do it for her.

https://www.click2houston.com/news/texas/2021/08/18/virus-outbreaks-temporarily-close-4-texas-school-districts/

Thanks for sharing the link. I passed this to a co worker yesterday who was on his way up to Leander High to fight with his daughter's coach who was trying to make her wear a mask.

Welp... new email out.

AgGrad99 said:

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Welp... new email out.

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What does it say?

It's long. But basically no opt-out, unless you have a medical condition that requires it.

I mean, a lot has changed in three days...

Dear Round Rock ISD Community,

Congratulations and thank you to all of our students, parents, teachers and staff members. Despite challenging circumstances, our students are off to a great start to the 2021-2022 school year and I am overjoyed to see them returning to our classrooms.

I know safety is top of mind for all of us in the midst of this ongoing pandemic. As you may know, on Monday night I recommended to the Board of Trustees that we implement a mask requirement for students and staff returning to our campuses, as well as staff and visitors at all Round Rock ISD facilities. Trustees approved instituting a requirement, but added the ability for both students and staff to opt out. Even with that option, across the District the vast majority of students and staff are wearing masks. I have visited more than 20 campuses in the last three days and am encouraged by both the adherence to safety protocols and the excitement and enthusiasm for being back at school.

The legal landscape on whether or not school districts have the authority to require masks is changing rapidly. Late yesterday, we learned in an update from the Texas Education Agency that the state is currently not enforcing the governor's executive order banning mask requirements in public schools due to ongoing legal battles in state and federal courts. Also late yesterday, the Texas Supreme Court declined to overturn temporary restraining orders requiring masks in public schools, including an order that applies to Round Rock ISD schools located in Travis County and the City of Austin. Instead, the Supreme Court sent the challenge by the state's Attorney General to a lower appellate court.

Given these developments, I have asked our Board President to call a meeting next week and I will be bringing a recommendation at that time that the mask opt-out provision be reserved for health or developmental circumstances only and that all other staff and students be required to wear masks indoors when six feet of social distance is not possible.

I miss seeing the smiling faces of our students and teachers and I can't wait until we can all put our masks away. But that time is not now. Now, we must take care of each other and protect each other. We must do all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep our school doors open.

Already, most of our Round Rock ISD community has committed to do their part. Less than 9 percent of students have opted out of the mask requirement at this point. We have posted a report on our COVID-19 Guidelines website where parents can see the opt out rate by campus.

Thank you for all you are doing to keep yourself, your students and our community healthy. For more information on how we're keeping students safe as we return to school, please visit our COVID-19 Resources Website. You can also subscribeto receive District announcements and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates and happenings.

Thanks again and have a wonderful weekend.
Respectfully,
Dr. Hafedh Azaiez
Superintendent of Schools

"Health or developmental circumstances"

Who decides that? I would argue early elementary students are developmentally hindered by masks. And kids with glasses are forced to touch their face all the time. Does that count?

So pull a kid out of public school because they have to wear a mask and put them in a private school where they'll have to wear a uniform?

Absolutely. Apples and oranges.

What private school in town doesn't have a mask mandate?

Your wife know how often you throw her in front of the bus?

Round rock Christian doesn't require masks and they don't wear uniforms. Except for elementary kids who wear a polo on chapel days. They are experiencing record enrollment and had a long waitlist. I do not know if there Is any room. Might depend on grade.

ReloadAg said:

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Absolutely. Apples and oranges.

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Read that question and was going to post something pretty much exactly like this. Nice job.

Also, for you "let the kids decide" guys, I would submit that that attitude contributes to alot that's wrong these days.

So don't let kids decide anything?

They can't choose where to eat, or what tshirt to put on?

If the parent is ok with masks, or no masks, what 'wrong' will occur from letting the kid/teenager decide?

AgGrad99 said:

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So don't let kids decide anything?

They can't choose where to eat, or what tshirt to put on?

If the parent is ok with masks, or no masks, what 'wrong' will occur from letting the kid/teenager decide?

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I would say no on things of any magnitude, which this clearly has.

Parents are the adults. I know indifference is cool now, but just pick a position and go with it.

wargograw said:

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Also, for you "let the kids decide" guys, I would submit that that attitude contributes to alot that's wrong these days.

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Having a conversation with your kids about the positions for and against wearing a mask, letting them ask questions, and then helping them think about their position and letting them make their own choice (obviously with some guidance and context from the parent) that's what's wrong nowadays? L. O. L.

Edit: I should add this isn't some dangerous decision your letting your kid make like "well, your choice if you smoke cigarettes or not." Or "well, your choice if you want to ride a bike without a helmet".

There is no proven science behind mask wearing being remarkably effective. Especially in an 8 hour school day where they are in a small classroom and take masks off for recess, gym, music, lunch, etc already. There is also no data suggesting kids are at major risk. There is data in Sweden on no masks or distancing measures in schools with no higher hospitalizations or deaths in school-age children from COVID.

I also imagine only parents that believe masks are largely ineffective are letting their kids choose. I doubt a pro-mask parent is having a conversation about it and saying "your call". So in effect an anti-mask/indifferent parent is simply saying wear one if you want, but don't if you don't want to. Versus forcing a kid to not wear a mask, which could affect them negatively if they like wearing it for whatever reason.

AgGrad99 said:

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Again...if the parent is ok with either mask option, what is the harm in letting the kid decide? Acting like that makes someone an indifferent parent is extremely disingenuous.

I'm against masks. But I'll let my kid decide. There is no harm in doing that.

My job is to teach my teenager to think critically...not do it for them. Otherwise they aren't prepared when they leave my house.

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Didn't realize we were talking about teenagers. Little bit different.

And I didn't say it makes people indifferent parents. I meant indifference on issues is cool now.