Because there’s a vote involved in tonight's school board meetings, if you support mask-choice, please plan to attend the meeting(s) either virtually or in-person. For those who choose to speak, please address the board in a reasoned and respectful manner.
The decision to move to mask choice should not be controversial. Wilmette resident, Ted Dabrowski, gives several reasons why:
1. Only four states in the country still impose a statewide school mask mandate with no end in sight: New York, California, Hawaii and Maryland (five if the Illinois Supreme Court rules in favor of Gov. J.B. Pritzker). All other states in the country either impose no mandate or have already announced a fixed date for ending their mandates.
2. Over 700 of Illinois’ 850 school districts have already moved to mask choice, according to the Chicago Tribune.
3. Five of New Trier’s feeder school districts have already moved to mask choice: Sunset Ridge D29, Kenilworth D38, Avoca D37, Winnetka D36 and Glencoe D35. Wilmette D39 will hold a board vote today, February 22.
4. More than 92% of students and 96% of staff are fully vaccinated. The broader community is protected, too. More than three-quarters of all area residents are fully vaccinated, according to the Cook County Department of Public Health.
5. Experts of all stripes and of all sides have come to agree that masks in schools are doing more harm than good.
Our goal is to have the schools move forward with the option for individual staff members and families to make the decision to mask or not mask, all while being respectful of personal choice.
Thank you for your continued support.
Your neighbor,
Chris Beer
Information for New Trier’s Feb. 22 board meeting:
2/22/22, 6:30 PM
New Trier High School 7 Happ Road, Room C234
Link for Live Streaming for New Trier's Meeting
Information for D39’s Feb. 22 board meeting:
2/22/22, 7:00 PM
Wilmette Junior High School, 620 Locust Rd.
This meeting will be viewable here.
To attend the meeting in-person, please register for tickets here.
Public comments will be accepted in-person and remotely via Zoom link.