MCS drops indoor mask requirements for summer school & camps

Last Wednesday Manchester Community Schools (MCS) announced that they will not be requiring masks or facial coverings for students under 12 years of age inside buildings during MCS Summer Programs and MCS Summer Camps. Masks will now be optional for all students, staff, and visitors. (Note: Masks are still required on MCS busses.) 

This decision was made and due to low case numbers for the community and county, the limited number of students and staff physically present currently in the buildings, and based on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated guidance for schools.

In a message sent out to MCS families, superintendent Dr. Brad Bezeau stated, “We ask that all of our community and summer program and camp attendees respect the individual decisions made by families and students as to their choice of wearing masks or facial coverings while inside or outside of our school buildings.”  

Does this mean no more required masks at school this fall? Maybe, but not necessarily. Bezeau stated, “Please note that this is for our summer programming and not necessarily indicative of the status of masks for the Fall of 2021 and the 2021-2022 school year. We will always take the steps necessary to keep our students safe and to be in compliant with local and state orders. It will be our hope and our top priority to have school five days per week, in an in-person status, and to not have to implement mask or facial covering requirements.”

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.