Whitehall-Coplay School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Steckel Jr. sent an email Dec. 11 to district families, informing them that masking for students and staff is now optional in light of the Dec. 10 ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

The ruling invalidates the Aug. 31 masking order put in place by Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam.

According to the email, masks or face coverings are “strongly encouraged but optional for staff and students.”

Whitehall-Coplay School Board first approved the health and safety plan for the 2021-22 school year in July but revised the plan Aug. 9 and Sept. 13. All three plans said that “staff and students will comply with any federal, state or local mandates/requirements regarding masking. If no mandate/requirement exists, the use of masks will be encouraged but optional for staff and students.”

When Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, Secretary of Education Noe Ortega and Beam issued the masking mandate for schools Sept. 7, WCSD complied.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s federal order requiring masks to be worn on public transportation, including school buses, remains in effect.

Steckel reminded parents to keep students exhibiting COVID-19, cold or flu symptoms home from school.