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Thousands of Henrico parents made a decision early this year to send their children back to school in-person this fall. Many of them made that decision under the impression that masks would be required for elementary students, who are not yet eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
But now, in light of uncertainty surrounding masking rules for the 2021-2022 school year, some of those parents are rethinking or regretting their decision to send their children back into classrooms.
Sara Jamal, who has a son with a chronic medical condition, said she would have chosen the Henrico Virtual Academy option for him – a new fully virtual K-12 program that requires participating students to remain virtual for the entire school year – if she had known the school division would make masking optional. Instead, he’ll be attending one of the largest elementary schools in the county with more than 800 unvaccinated children.
“I’m livid that there is even a debate on masking for K-12 students, especially elementary aged where none of the students are currently eligible for vaccination,” Jamal told the Citizen.
Registration for the HVA closed in May, but the demand for spots in the program is growing. There were about 420 students on the waitlist for HVA as of Monday, according to a Henrico County Public Schools spokesman.
“It’s a work in progress with five weeks still remaining between now and the beginning of school,” said HCPS spokesman Andy Jenks. “As we’re able to balance staffing for in-person as well as virtual learners we’ll work to accommodate the HVA waitlist.”
On July 27, HCPS announced to staff and families that masks will be optional for the 2021-2022 school year.
In light of higher community spread of COVID-19 and new federal guidance regarding school health measures, the HCPS Health Committee will present updated recommendations to the School Board at its next public meeting on Thursday.
Flexibility throughout the pandemic has always been key, Jenks said, and HCPS is tracking the latest health conditions and guidance from health experts.
The most recent messaging to staff and parents said in part, “While we encourage mask-wearing for those not fully vaccinated, we respect that mask-wearing is currently an individual’s choice.” Any updates to the policy won’t be announced until the school board discusses the issue on Thursday.
Nate Duncan, a father of three elementary students, said that when he and his wife made the decision to send their kids back to school, they made that decision in good faith based on the understanding that mask requirements would remain in place.
“If you are unwilling to reinstate the mask requirement, I would like the option to be able to switch my children to the virtual academy,” Duncan wrote in an email to School Board member Michelle Ogburn obtained by the Citizen. “Since you are changing the nature and risk profile of in-person school, it's only right to allow families to switch to the virtual academy.”
Duncan’s children aren’t on the HVA waitlist yet — he’s holding out hope that HCPS will “do the right thing,” he told the Citizen.
“Right now we feel super stuck,” Duncan said. “Our kids will benefit from in person schooling, but being unvaccinated the risk of potential life long problems or death doesn't seem worth it given the relative effectiveness of masks.”
Kelly Hope, a parent of two Henrico students, is one of the hundreds on the HVA waitlist.
“If I had known in May that masks were to be optional this fall, I absolutely would have signed up my son for HVA before the window closed,” Hope said.
She said she hasn’t received any information from HCPS yet about HVA. Now seemingly out of options, Hope is considering homeschooling.
Shortly before HCPS announced to parents that masks will be optional in schools this fall, the CDC announced that it is recommending local jurisdictions encourage universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.
Henrico School Board member Krisi Kinsella said in a Facebook post that the HCPS announcement did not take into consideration the "simultaneous" announcement from the CDC.
While groups including the Henrico Education Association have released statements calling for a universal masking requirement, those who support HCPS’ current policy are also speaking out.
A petition supporting guidelines that allow choice in masking students is floating around. It’s unclear who is behind the petition, or how many signatures it has.
“Decisions pertaining to the health and well-being of our children are best left to the parents and guardians who are ultimately responsible for the medical needs of their children and families,” the petition reads. “We are grateful that HCPS staff and the community at large were afforded the opportunity to be vaccinated and are confident in the science behind the vaccines.”
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Anna Bryson is the Henrico Citizen's education reporter and a Report for America corps member. Make a tax-deductible donation to support her work, and RFA will match it dollar for dollar.
