What do you do when a kid refuses to wear a mask?

Published

I realize that mask compliance is quite variable in different areas, and has unfortunately become a politically charged issue.  I'm curious what your schools are doing if a student refuses to wear a mask in class?  Is it treated as an education issue, a discipline issue, or just ignored?  

My 7th grader said a boy in one of his classes had his mask around his chin on Friday.  Their regular teacher is out on an LOA, and one of the permanent building subs has taken over.  Between the new teacher being young (and thus with fewer class management strategies than a veteran), and being a sub (which seems to be an open invitation for students to see what they can get away with), the result was the teacher told him if he wasn't going to wear his mask, he should sit in the back of the class.  So he did. With COVID cases rising in the state, I'm not okay with a kid sitting mask-less indoors with other kids for over an hour.

Advice on what I should do to advocate for my kid's health without being perceived as "that parent"?  I'm thinking my first step should be to contact the school nurse tomorrow. I'm not looking to get anyone "in trouble", but I do want all the teachers, and especially subs, to be empowered to enforce the mask requirement (both district policy and law in my state).  I'm tying to keep this on an educational rather than punitive level, which is why I think the RN should be my point of contact rather than the principal, but I'm open to suggestions.  

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Our school is having the teacher handle it in the classroom. The kids are not to be sent to the nurse or timeout/ refocus room. That is just how our school is handling it- others may be different. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

At our school non-compliance with mask wearing is a disciplinary issue--quite severe discipline including being banned from in person learning if it becomes an issue.  Did the school release any sort of documentation before opening outlining what would be done with mask wearing?  I'd reach out to the teacher first.  Quote the document if there is one.  If you don't hear back then reach out to the nurse.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

At our school the child is sent to the Dean's office.  They are given a disposable mask if they don't have one, and parents are called.  Repeated violations lead to disciplinary measures.  We've just had a small number of ELL and sped kids on campus so far - the hybrid model starts tomorrow, so we'll see, but generally kids have done very well. Occasionally they need reminders to keep noses covered, or to remask after lunch. 

I don't think you're being "that parent."  I would definitely say something. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
3 hours ago, BrisketRN said:

At our school non-compliance with mask wearing is a disciplinary issue--quite severe discipline including being banned from in person learning if it becomes an issue.  Did the school release any sort of documentation before opening outlining what would be done with mask wearing?  I'd reach out to the teacher first.  Quote the document if there is one.  If you don't hear back then reach out to the nurse.

I don't know of any documentation regarding discipline policies.  We did get information from the district regarding the testing thresholds for moving from in-person to hybrid to online instruction, as well as guidelines for how long kids would need to be home after COVID-like symptoms.  But I don't remember anything other than this is our policy and there won't be exceptions, even for developmental or medical reasons. Until now, I haven't heard of problems. All three of my kids say compliance has been good except for this one class, so I don't know if it's come up.

The teacher is a sub, so I don't know if he even has a school email.

Also, I just spoke with my son, and my understanding of the story has changed a bit.  Apparently, the other kid entered with the mask on his chin, the teacher assigned him a seat in the back, and never addressed the mask issue directly.  My child's seat was the closest to the other student, and my son asked him to put his mask on.  The other boy didn't argue; he just ignored my kid.  Although they have drifted apart, the two of them were pretty good friends a few years back, so I see why my kid didn't want to make a scene or "tattle" to the teacher.  Still, I know he was very uncomfortable because he doesn't even like being in stores where people aren't wearing their masks properly. I've coached him through just giving strangers space in public, but when he's assigned to be in a nearby seat for an hour, there's no place to go.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.

Like someone said up thread - this is a disciplinary issue for us. Mask wearing is outlined extensively is the COVID amendment to our student handbook and any in-person student must abide by it (unless they have a documented medical exception) and not doing so may result in the student being asked to join the remote cohort instead.

Now we just have high need student in person now, but even one student we thought wouldn't comply with mask wearing (with a documented medical reason) is doing great once we found out the best size for him was the kid-size disposable masks!

I have extra masks in the classroom being used, both fabric reusable and one-time use disposable (both adult and kid sizes). Any teacher in the room must ask students to wear masks properly, offer them a new mask, and if they refuse, they call the dean.

I have also been popping by classrooms to keep an eye on mask compliance. We also have one new staff member that students are taking advance of, so as a fellow human who knows had hard MS students can be on you, both me and my LPN have been doing extra teaching and support. 

Reaching out to the nurse here feels like a good start - if you'd reached out to me, I'd likely follow-up with some teaching with student and a note for the teacher to reach out if student wasn't complying to me. Then I'd loop in the dean on my end as an FYI - but I have a great relationship here with my dean ;). 

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.

Disciplinary; The only exceptions have really been for our severe behavior students and students with severe autism. All are being encouraged to wear masks as much as possible, trying to teach it as a social skill. Our school committee also blocked the use of neck gaiters/handkerchiefs, but I have one student who won't wear anything but a neck gaiter and if its that or nothing with him (another behavior kiddo), I'm allowing the gaiter. 

Our policy states they need approval from myself or the building principal if its behavior related or if it's a so-called "medical" reason, they need a note from their doctor. Luckily, mask compliance is very high in my area in general, as the issue has not been politicized as much (though there are some who still shirk the responsibility... "NOT ON MY FACE")

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing.

Our admin has been handling the kids who won't wear them or don't wear them properly. This is a disciplinary issue for sure.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can definitely see how the nurse would seem like your contact person for this issue, but I'd bet he/she is just going to forward that issue to the school administrator.  At least in my district, mask non-compliance is considered a disciplinary issue and not a nursing issue.  The nurse could provide some re-education to the sub on why sitting at the back of the class doesn't replace wearing a mask, but the admin is going to be the one to facilitate this one.  

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in kids.
36 minutes ago, Mavnurse17 said:

I can definitely see how the nurse would seem like your contact person for this issue, but I'd bet he/she is just going to forward that issue to the school administrator.  At least in my district, mask non-compliance is considered a disciplinary issue and not a nursing issue.  The nurse could provide some re-education to the sub on why sitting at the back of the class doesn't replace wearing a mask, but the admin is going to be the one to facilitate this one.  

That is my role...it is definitely on the discipline continuum. And I step in as needed.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

one warning either by teacher or "education" from nurse, and then they get sent home. 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'd like to fork this topic, if I may. Rather than just "defiance in older kids," I'd appreciate any sagacity regarding, umm... let's call it "anticipating problems and helpful suggestions for masking in a pre-k (or other little ones) classroom." It seems closely related. I don't wish to hijack a thread, and if I am, apologize & welcome the Administrators to deal with me however they must.

Following a recent uptick in cases throughout the area / system, the agency which administers my wife's preschool has decided that students (3 to 5 year olds) must begin wearing masks in the classroom. My gut tells me there will be challenges with willingness to comply, ability to wear properly, self-awareness, you name it. I would hate to see days of learning, growth and fun devolve into being just hours of teachers adjusting kids' masks, reminding them about masks, keeping track of masks, picking up orphaned masks...

Certainly discipline (meaning punitive measures) will be some factor. But I'm guessing more gain can come through great techniques in demonstrating how to wear and handle them, well tailored explanations of how and why, and clever ways to remind the kiddos and help them be aware of their faces and masks and hands and so forth. So if it's not too much to ask, I'd just like to know the perfect way to handle every situation that might come up. ?

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion