In light of the Dec. 10 decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Gateway School District has made masks optional for students.

The supreme court affirmed a lower court ruling that the state’s acting secretary of health did not have the authority to issue a mandatory mask mandate for schools in August. The ruling ended the mandate effective, allowing school districts to implement their own masking policies as they see fit.

According to a letter to Gateway parents and guardians from Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Short, “Effective immediately on Monday, December 13, 2021, the Gateway School District will become ‘mask optional,’ meaning the parents/guardians shall determine if their child wears a mask while in school.”

The federally mandated masking requirement remains in effect for all students and drivers while on school busses.

The letter also states the district will continue mitigation efforts throughout the district and on busses.

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