Santa Fe South Schools To Allow Parents To Opt Their Children Out Of Schools' Mask Mandate

Santa Fe South Schools is now letting parents the option to allow their children to opt-out from their mask requirement, according to their website.

The following statement was attributed to Superintendent Chris Brewster, the charter school's superintendent:

“Parental choice is a core tenet under which our school was founded. We believe families should have a voice and a choice in every aspect their child’s education. Many parents choose to enroll their children in our school because we are responsive to students’ needs and have the flexibility to tailor programs to our students.

“Our school requires students, faculty, staff and visitors to wear masks. We also offer parents the freedom to opt their students out for personal, medical or religious reasons should they choose to do so. 

“It is incumbent upon each of us to do our part to protect our school community, and our community at large, from this deadly virus. At Santa Fe South, that includes wearing masks.”

Earlier, a letter was sent to the families of Santa Fe South Schools that said the charter will strictly enforce a requirement mandating masks when indoors or in close contact.

This happened despite a bill that bans mask mandates for unvaccinated students from kindergarten to college in Oklahoma districts.

Read: State Senate Passes Bill Banning School Vaccine Requirements, Partial Mask Mandate

The letter from Brewster said the mandate will go into effect Thursday, Aug. 12.

The requirement applies to staff, students and guests at school, including all activities and events.