The Wentzville School District has announced it is making masking optional on buses for elementary, middle school, and high school students as of Feb. 27. 

The email sent to staff of the school over the weekend states that based upon the new CDC guidelines they will not require students to wear masks on buses, rather it will be optional and this will go into effect immediately for all of the schools. 

The CDC released a statement  a few days earlier stating “effective February 25, 2022, CDC does not require wearing of masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs.”

Based on this information, the Wentzville School District decided what was best is to make masking optional. 

The CDC statement replaces the previous order that took place on Jan. 29, 2021, when the CDC issued an order that required face masks to be worn by all people while on public transportation.

There are various opinions about masking on school buses. Bus driver Kevin Smith states, “I am honestly very happy about not having to wear a mask. I never really liked wearing a mask, but we had to follow the rules.” 

Freshman Brooke O’hearn says that she is “glad that there is an option for those who want to wear one to protect against the virus,” but at the same time, she is “glad she doesn’t have to deal with the hassle of remembering anymore.”