Like many schools across the state, Oskaloosa Christian School is preparing for the start of classes on Monday (8/24).  Oskaloosa Christian Principal Don Mitchell tells the No Coast Network he and his staff looked at data and spoke with parents before making a decision on whether students and teachers should wear masks.

“We made the decision to make masking optional for staff and for students.  Any student that wants to come in with a mask, we will encourage that if that helps them to feel safer in the school environment.  We encourage that also for teachers.”

Mitchell says teachers at Oskaloosa Christian have another option: wearing face shields.

“The reason we chose the face shielding over masks, was that especially with teaching younger children…that the facial expressions and that non-verbal feedback is so important in the educational process, especially for younger children.”

While classes for Oskaloosa and Oskaloosa Christian schools begin this coming Monday, classes in Pella began Thursday (8/20) and North Mahaska will begin school this coming Wednesday (8/26).