By Sydney Simpson – Editor-in-Chief 

Masks in Milford Public Schools became optional on February 28, allowing both students and staff to enter school buildings without a facial covering for the first time since March 13, 2020. 

This highly debated decision came after additional CDC guidance and a Board of Education meeting that occurred the week of February 13. The news reached Milford residents via a letter from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anna Cutaia dated later that week on February 18. 

Law Principal Mr. Darcy said that the key to successfully implementing the optional mask policy is respect for each other’s choices.

“No matter the age, all students and staff feel some apprehension because of how the last two years have progressed,” Darcy. “The bottom line is our schools, families, and community need to stay united and respect each other’s health just like we respect each other for the differences we have as people each day.”

While some students still opt to wear masks, most are excited for this new policy. Everyone at Law has been respectful of each other’s decisions and have demonstrated high levels of maturity. 

“I am excited for things to go back to ‘normal’ at JLHS, especially since this is my senior year and I want to go out the way I came in,” senior Moira Staples said. “The next step towards normalcy would probably be regarding the level of comfort in the student body when it comes to these new challenges; students need to feel at ease when not social distancing or not wearing masks.”

The district also revealed that students will not have to wear masks on school buses as well, which was not part of the original announcement due to the federal mandate that was in place concerning public transportation. 

“I think that making the masks optional was a step in the right direction for Milford Public Schools, as it shows that the school listened to both the advice from medical professionals and the wishes of the student body,” Staples said. “I do not feel this was premature as the school observed the actions of districts around them and seemed to have taken the time to make the best decision for the safety of the students and staff.”

Many students and staff members agree with this point of view, noting that this is an important step for the district in getting things back to normal. The rate of infection for the virus has significantly decreased since winter break, but social distancing guidelines and quarantine rules still apply. 

“We are still waiting for normal to happen at Law,” science teacher Mr. Koorejian said. “I think students will be encouraged (not mandated) to be a little more empathetic about others in certain times of the year when the flu and COVID are happening, so maybe more health conscious behaviors and/or preventions might be a little more common in the future.”

This decision affects not only students at the high school level, but those in middle and elementary school as well. 

“I am very excited for my son, who is a first grader, to see his friend’s smiles at school,” business teacher Mr. Beler said.