'Like the first day of school': Lifting mask mandate boosts morale at local schools
Mar. 11—CORDOVA — Full cafeterias, smiling faces, less isolated classrooms and a renewed sense of energy were a regular sight throughout the hallways of all Richmond County Schools this week after a lingering COVID-19 policy was lifted.
The Richmond County Board of Education unanimously voted to end mask mandates for all students effective March 3, leaving students with the option of wearing them or not on campus.
"It has been a tremendous change," said Arlandria Robinson, a first-grade teacher at East Rockingham Elementary School. "It's so nice to see all of their faces and smiles throughout the day and it's a great step toward them having a normal school year."
Robinson said she's seen a stark increase in students being friendly with each other. As a first-year teacher who began her career during the pandemic, she added that adaptability has been essential to navigating the changing rules and health risks that have affected education over the last two years.
"I had one student that was so happy, he said, 'I'm so happy that I can see my friend's faces and hug them!'" Robinson said.
Timothy Watkins, Sr., a teacher and bus driver, said he's seen students being much more open with each other.
"Things are really starting to get back to normal now," Watkins said, though he still prefers to wear a mask in the classroom.
"You can understand people more," said fifth-grader Isaac Nunley, adding that eating in the cafeteria has been "nice."
Principal Jamie Greene shared that she received a note from a student saying how happy they were that they could sit and eat with their friends in the cafeteria.
COVID cases remain extremely low
There's been no increase in positive COVID-19 cases for students or staff since the board's decision.
According to Dr. Wendy Jordan, director of student services, there was one reported staff case on March 7 and one student case on March 9. There were zero other cases for every other day.
This week, on average, there have been fewer than 10 students and two staff members excluded due to COVID-19 on any day.
COVID-19 cases in RCS, and Richmond County, have steadily declined since January. For example, on Jan. 20 there were 116 positive students cases in a single day, while for the entire month of February, there was not a single day that recorded more than 12 positive student cases.
"Everything that has been shared with me regarding the new policy has been overwhelmingly positive, both from adults and students," Jordan shared in an email.
Nurse Leslie Hall said that students have been more cheerful at school. As the days have gone on, Hall said that the number of students wearing masks has slowly decreased.
At East Rockingham, she said that the first day looked to be about 50-50 in regards to students wearing masks or not. A week later, Hall said it's closer to 75% of students not wearing a mask. Greene agreed with that estimation, adding that it could be closer to 80% of students at East Rockingham not wearing masks.
"We've not had any widespread illness or symptoms," Hall said.
Dr. Kate Smith, executive director of curriculum and instruction, said that from her observations, it seems that middle schoolers wear their masks at the highest frequency, with elementary schoolers wearing theirs the least.
New energy at Cordova Middle School
"It was like a holiday the first week," said Mary Grace Calhoun, a teacher at Cordova Middle School. "I think the students are happier, we're all just freer and you see their personalities come out."
Calhoun said social distancing is still common due to the habit being formed over the last year and a half.
"It's kind of like we're meeting our students and co-workers for the first time," said Becky Wright, an academic coach.
She added that the timing for this "morale boost" was perfect, as this is a long stretch between winter and spring break that will help students push to the end of the school year.
"There's a buzz of excitement," Wright said. "It's all about personal comfort and choice at this point, which I think people are really appreciative of."
Terrina Harris, a seventh-grade social studies teacher, said that the environment at school is "more laid back now," and they're able to operate differently in the classroom, such as utilizing more group activities and stations.
Seventh-grader Hailey Wiggins said she's also seen that not having to wear masks has caused students to be more social. When asked to describe the new culture in school in one word, Hailey said it's "creativity."
"It's like people were hiding behind the mask, and now they're not," Hailey said, adding that she feels like most people's anxiety was heightened due to the masks.
Eighth-grader Laurence Williams agreed with Hailey, saying that it's a lot easier to talk to other students now.
"It was like seeing a whole new group of people," said Laurence about the first day without masks. This is his first year at CMS.
Principal Joyce McRae said that more students are wearing masks at CMS than aren't, pegging the ratio at 60% to 40%.
"You could feel that excitement [the first day]," McRae said. She described walking into a classroom of 24 students where only three were not wearing masks. A week later, she said students are deciding to wear masks less and less.
McRae said she hasn't observed any discussions among students about the mask policy, comparing the way they've expressed their takes on the policy as whether a student decides to wear a jacket or not.
A major change from the Board's decision is that visits from outside groups, such as 4-H 0r police and fire departments, have been restored. McRae cited a visit from the Raider band and chorus that provided a surge of enthusiasm that wasn't possible before due to the universal masking policy.
"The kids were so excited to see what happening at Richmond Senior," McRae said.
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Reach Matthew Sasser at 910-817-2671 or msasser@yourdailyjournal.com.
