CL students to be freed from mask wearing

Canyon Lake students attending local schools will be free to not wear masks indoors effective March 12, the Lake Elsinore Unified School District reported this week. The district was quick to act after the state governor rescinded the school mask mandate that has been in place since the state’s schools reopened.

“We begin with a thank you to all our families, staff, and students who have worked alongside us during this ever-changing time,” District Superintendent Doug Kimberly said. “We appreciate your continued partnership as we navigate the latest update to COVID Safety strategies.”

The district said it continues to adjust its policies based on the guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Riverside Health University Health System (RUHS). Students may continue to voluntarily wear masks if they choose, the district said.

Meanwhile, the district will continue to utilize the best practice safety measures it implemented at the schools’ reopening. They include improved ventilation and enhanced cleaning protocols, group contact tracing and notifications for confirmed positive cases at school sites, providing no-cost take home antigen testing for all students and providing handwashing and sanitizing stations throughout all schools.

“Please continue to report any exposures, symptoms, or positive COVID-19 test results to Parent Square,” Dr. Kimberly said. “We will continue to update our families and staff with the latest information as it becomes available.”