Students at Loudoun County, Virginia schools are facing suspension for refusing to comply with the district’s mask mandate which is itself at odds with Governor Glenn Youngkin’s executive order empowering parents to opt their children out of school mask requirements.
Loudoun County Public Schools confirmed to Fox 5 this week that they contacted students individually to inform them they were facing disciplinary action if they continued to arrive on school grounds without masks.
“Beginning on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, students who willfully continue to refuse to follow COVID mitigation measures as required by Loudoun County Public Schools will be suspended from school in relation to Violation of School Board Policy 8210, Introduction to Student Discipline, Section F.2. Willful or continued disobedience of school rules and regulation of school personnel; 3. Defiance of the authority of any teacher, principal or other person having authority on the school board,” a letter sent to parents reads.
“A student who is suspended because of non-compliance with COVID-mitigation measures may return to school only when they agree to follow COVID-mitigation measures throughout the entire school day and at all indoor school-related events …” it also said.
Parents who want to opt their children out of the mask policy remain firm, however.
“Each parent should get to make the decision that makes the most sense for their individual family,” Abbie Platt, who has three children in the district, told Fox 5. “We were so thrilled when the governor made that announcement, that’s because our little guy has chronic asthma, and he’s been on a nebulizer for two years. When you have something trapped on your face, and you are not able to breathe properly, it creates a serious health problem.”
Last week, Woodgrove High School Principal William Shipp informed unmasked students, who had been forced to remain in the auditorium apart from their mask-compliant peers, of the upcoming disciplinary action.
“You have all chosen not to wear a mask this week. Essentially, that is just defiant of the rules Loudoun County Public Schools have put up,” Shipp said, according to a video reviewed by The Epoch Times.
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