Mask-optional school closes for 2 weeks

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Viral illnesses including COVID-19 are down Fayetteville Christian School deciding to unopen its doors for 2 weeks.

The schoolhouse doesn't person a disguise requirement, which leaves wearing masks optional for teachers and students.

"I marque my girl deterioration a disguise due to the fact that I consciousness it would beryllium irresponsible for maine to not support my kid the champion that I could," said 1 genitor who didn't privation to beryllium identified. "You spot immoderate students wearing masks and others not."
A caller in-person parent-teacher nighttime near her uncomfortable arsenic astir radical weren't wearing one.

She decided to nonstop her kid to Fayetteville Christian due to the fact that of the galore benefits of tiny classrooms. On Monday afternoon, an email was sent to each parents informing them that schoolhouse was shutting down and moving to virtual learning for 2 weeks. According to the Head of School, Tammi Peters, determination are astatine slightest 10 confirmed COVID-19 cases connected field betwixt teachers and unit who reportedly got it from family. Peters told ABC11 that not wearing masks springiness parents the option.

"Every twelvemonth during the archetypal fewer weeks of school, determination is an uptick successful pupil illnesses, truthful this uptick successful cases aft being successful schoolhouse 2 weeks is not uncommon," Peters said successful a connection to ABC11. "However, due to the fact that the symptoms of different viruses overlap with symptoms of COVID, students who are exposed indispensable besides beryllium quarantined. The bulk of our existent absenteeism is owed to students having to travel COVID vulnerability protocols. We lone person 10 confirmed cases of COVID dispersed retired successful aggregate grades ranging from Pre-K done 12th grade. Our full schoolhouse colonisation is 720, which includes students and staff. By switching to virtual learning, we judge the viral illnesses volition marque their mode done the schoolhouse and we tin instrumentality to mean activities connected Sept 7."

The genitor ABC11 spoke with is blessed the schoolhouse is taking the information measures.

"I've heard immoderate different parents not knowing wherefore they're shutting schools down," the genitor said. "Saying it's conscionable flu-related illnesses, but I'm gladsome the schoolhouse is taking the precautions,"

The schoolhouse has implemented cileaning protocols. ABC11 asked whether masks volition beryllium required erstwhile students return. Peters said no.

"Wow. How acold does it person to spell for you to contented a mandate for children to deterioration masks successful school?" the genitor asked.