Masks Optional For Avella Students

Avella Area students might return to class with new pencils and books, but likely not masks. At Wednesday evening’s school board meeting, Superintendent Cyril Walther announced that all vaccinated students and staff do not have to wear masks. Although the CDC recommends that non-vaccinated people wear masks, the district decided that mask-wearing would be entirely optional for students. “I don’t have any legal means to identify what individuals have been vaccinated and what individuals have not been vaccinated”, said Walther. Otherwise, Walther said the schools will do their best to maintain student distancing. Masks still must be worn on all school buses. For all Avella schools, the first in-service day for teachers is on August 23rd, while the first school day for students is on August 25th.