by Chloe Kiparsky
Juniors Ava Choate and Anna Krickbaum wondered why the high school was still wearing masks since most of the students were vaccinated. They decided to take action on Wednesday, September 15. “We decided that we were kind of fed up with the whole mask situation considering that we were all vaccinated,” Ava said. She and Anna went to talk with Superintendent Tod Lokey regarding this issue.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lokey had been researching student vaccination rates. Based on his findings, Mr. Lokey decided that the mask policy will be relaxed. “Students will still bring a mask to school and wear them in congregate areas and common spaces,” he said, “for example during an assembly, going into the gym with the whole school, hallways, lockers. But when you enter a classroom and sit down, you can take your mask off.”
He explained that the state of Colorado raised the threshold for vaccination status for a school to avoid quarantine from 70% to 80% of staff and students. Ouray High School is 83.3% vaccinated, 87% including teachers, as of Friday, September 17.
The middle school is at 29.5%, but only 7th and 8th graders are eligible. 64.3% of eligible middle school students are vaccinated. This means that they will not be able to take off their masks until more students are able to - and do - get the vaccine.
Like many students, Ava is excited to take off her mask. “I’m really excited to move forward in high school,” she said. “The last normal school year I had was eighth grade and I’m a junior now, so I’m excited to start experiencing what it’s like to be in high school without a mask.”
Mr. Lokey hopes that this will create more relaxation in the high school. “I really hope that we all get to take a deep breath because we’ve worked really hard to protect the school for the last 18 months.”