Majority of teachers and students decide to stop masking

Alicia Louters
Posted 4/20/21

In Torrington schools, the approved variance has removed requirements for masking and social distancing and teachers have noticed only a few people choosing to continue wearing their masks.

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Majority of teachers and students decide to stop masking

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TORRINGTON – In Torrington schools, the approved variance has removed requirements for masking and social distancing and teachers have noticed only a few people choosing to continue wearing their masks.

In Torrington High School, there are also few teachers who have decided to continue wearing face coverings.

“I haven’t seen any staff wearing masks since they told us that we didn’t have to anymore,” said Alex Schaneman who teaches math and computer science at the high school.

Senior Theona Haines said she has seen one teacher wearing a mask but not any others.

High school English Teacher Stacy Baker said she had expected the variance approval.

“Probably my biggest reaction was a little sense of relief,” Baker said. She noted the constant hassle of needing to remind students to wear their masks properly.

“That did take away from some instructional time during each class period,” she said.

“I was actually relieved,” said Schaneman, “you know, it’s a sign that everything’s getting back to normal.” He said teachers had initially been told the lifting of the mask requirement probably wouldn’t happen until next school year.

Lindsay Maxey, who teaches high school math, said she has seen a shift in students’ attitudes since the variance was approved.

“I see more enjoyment and I see more life in my students.” Maxey said when masks were required, a lot of her students seemed “down in the dumps.”

For Maxey, being able to read the facial expressions of her students is extremely important for her to make sure they understand what she is teaching.

“I love being able to see their faces, to see them light up when they understand something, even when they’re frustrated,” she said.

Since the approval of the variance, Baker guessed that more than 75% of high school students decided to stop wearing masks.

“I usually have about one or two in my classes that are still wearing one,” she said.

Schaneman’s guess is higher, at 90% to 95%. Senior Jordan Barth said the same.

Barth said he was glad to hear the variance had been approved.

“I’m not a big fan of masks because you’re breathing in the same air that you’re putting out and I don’t think it’s the healthiest,” he said.

Maxey said many students who wear masks do so to reduce risk of quarantine taking time away from extracurricular activities.

Schaneman said a student told him they preferred to continue wearing a mask, simply because he was used to it and felt comfortable doing it.

Another reason some students continue to mask up is health risk and school events. Haines said this is the case for her.

“I was a little disappointed because it’s like 30 days from the end of school and I didn’t want it to jeopardize things like graduation or prom if cases spiked.”

Also, being involved in music programs, Haines said she didn’t feel safe singing without a mask and being around so many people because she and a number of her family members are classified as high risk.

“There’s very few people still wearing masks, and most of them are high risk,” Haines said.

Haines said the other noticeable change has been less social distancing.

“There’s a lot more of kids touching and hugging and what not,” she said.

Schaneman said even though they don’t have to spread out anymore, students have moved their desks apart out of habit. 

According to Secretary Ashley Nighswonger, the situation has been similar in Torrington Middle School. Seeing students come through the door every morning, she has only noticed a handful of masks.

Masks continue to be offered to students who want one upon entry to the building.

Right after the variance was approved, Tyler Floerchinger, principal of Trail Elementary said there were mixed results, many students continued to wear masks, and many did not.

Now, he said there are more elementary students choosing not to wear masks.

“I hope we can be as safe as we can be, while continuing with face-to-face classes for the remainder of the year,” he said.

Baker, Schaneman and Maxey said so far, they have not had any more students in quarantine than normal.

Baker noted the lower number of cases in schools.

“I think the kids and the staff did a really good job of making sure to stay home if they thought they may have been exposed or weren’t feeling well,” she said. “Our staff has done a great job of keeping up with the cleaning.”

Schaneman said he hopes life continues to get back to normal.

“I really hope the school year ends well and we don’t get a lot of cases or people needing to quarantine. That would be a step back for us. As long as it keeps treading in the right direction, I’m happy,” he said.