SGCS for Optional Masks: Masks should be a parent choice, not a school choice

Members of the Saint Gabriel School Community request for Saint Gabriel School to implement a "mask optional" policy for the 2021-2022 school year.  The choice to mask children is a personal medical decision that should be made by parents, not school administrators. This optional masking allows those who wish to mask their children the freedom to do so and permits those who desire for their children to attend without masks to do the same.  We do not wish to develop a “no mask” policy and support parents who choose to mask their children for any reason.  We are asking Saint Gabriel School to embrace their primary role of educating students academically, physically and spiritually and to provide data driven and common sense policies in regards to school health and safety. 

Saint Gabriel has not provided any data on the efficacy of masks in a school setting and there are currently no mask mandates in place that Saint Gabriel must follow.  Therefore, it should be up to parents to make educated, medical decisions for their children. 

Additionally, as a Catholic school, we believe each student is a unique child of God and a one size fits all medical mandate can be harmful to children.  The individual needs and struggles of a student are not considered in a school wide decision.  Long-term mask wearing can have negative physical, educational, and psychological consequences on some children.  Parents are best suited to decide what is in his or her own child’s best interest physically and emotionally.  

We chose St. Gabriel to guide and teach our children to be strong leaders of faith and courage. The goal of optional masking is for parents to make medical decisions that put their children in the best possible position to live out this mission. 

Kelly Cengia    Contact the author of the petition