Morton District 201 Will No Longer Require Face Masks
Image description: In the middle is a gray concrete building. The middle of the building is black framed windows from the door entrance to the ceiling. The entrance has a black awning above with the white words “J. Sterling Morton High School District.” An american flag is posted to the right of the building. Small trees are in the foreground. In the background is a bright, clear blue sky.
The Morton High School District 201 headquarter building in Cicero, Ill (Photo by April Alonso).
By Irene Romulo
In an email sent to parents on February 18, Morton District 201 announced that the use of face coverings will become optional starting on February 23.
The email cites decreasing COVID-19 cases, the availability of a vaccination for students over the age of 12 and the “negative academic, social, and emotional effects on students” of mask requirements as reasons for this decision.
Yesterday, the Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court dismissed Governor J.B. Prizker’s appeal of an order that invalidated the statewide mask mandate in schools. But according to the Chicago Sun-Times, the ruling “means local school districts can impose their own mask mandates if they want to.” Chicago Public Schools, for example, will continue to require masks.
According to the Cook County Department of Public Health, there have been 60 COVID-19 cases reported in Cicero in the last week. Cases in the area have been declining since January 8.
This is a developing story and will be updated as we learn more.
Are you a student, teacher or caretaker of a student in the district? Let us know what you think. Message me at irene@ciceroindependiente.com or text me at 708.317.8078.
Irene Romulo is co-founder and editor of Cicero Independiente. You can email her at irene@ciceroindependiente.com or follow her on twitter @ireneincicero
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