The Natchitoches Parish School Board implemented mandatory masking during the month of January out of an abundance of caution for all students and staff. After recent Covid-19 data, NPSB officials have decided to lift the mask mandate in Natchitoches Parish Schools.
“We have seen a consistent reduction in positivity rates and quarantining over the past 3 weeks,” says NPSB Superintendent, Dr. Grant Eloi. “It has also been documented that Louisiana has officially passed the Omicron peak and is seeing a reduction in numbers as well.”
Due to all of these factors, NPSB will remove the mandatory masking policy effective February 1st, 2022, and allow all staff, parents, and students to determine their preference in terms of masking. NPSB will still strongly encourage masking and will continue to follow recommendations from the CDC and Louisiana health officials.
In the event the community and/or school system’s positivity rate increases, guidance relative to mask mandate modifications will be considered and communicated. NPSB officials will continue to monitor data when making decisions relative to the safety of students and staff.
NPSB would like to thank the community for its continued support and cooperation. For more information concerning Covid-19 updates, please make sure to follow Natchitoches Parish Schools on social media or visit www.npsb.la.