LTHS Separates Unmasked And Masked Students

La Grange IL

24 February, 2022

8:02 AM

Description

LA GRANGE, IL — For more than two weeks, Lyons Township High School has been separating masked and unmasked students. At this week's school board meeting, a prominent student denounced this policy. On Feb. 8, the school issued a statement to families about a court ruling that stopped the governor from enforcing the mask mandate in nearly 150 school districts. That order excluded Lyons Township, which was not a defendant. The school said it would continue its requirement. As a result of the judge's order, some students, including senior Leslie Mendoza, stopped wearing their masks. The school warned that mask violators would be required to work independently and away from other students. If they created disruptions, the school said, they would be subject to discipline. With parental permission, unmasked students could choose to leave school, but would be unable to take part in after-school activities, the school said. The violators would be responsible for all work they missed in class, according to the statement. During Tuesday's school board meeting, Mendoza, who has gained publicity for her involvement in a student conservative group, accused the school of unlawful behavior. Citing the court order, she said, "If it's unlawful for a few, it's unlawful for all." The court order was issued on a Friday after school let out for the day. Mendoza said that when she showed up the following Monday, she went maskless. That was not a problem at first. But in second period, AP Psychology, she was ordered to go to the school office, she said. "I was prohibited from returning to class, unless I wore a mask," Mendoza said. "Next day, I did the same thing. This time, I had nearly 150 students by my side. Surprised and in a panic, administrators tried to segregate students who refused to comply with their own unlawful mandate." The unmasked students, she said, were sent to the cafeteria and auditorium. "Lyons Township has been isolating students for two weeks now," Mendoza said. "At this point, you guys are begging for lawsuits." She questioned why maskless students could pack the student section at games, but be punished for going to class without masks. "I'm glad that you're getting to know what a little civil disobedience looks like. That's exactly what this country needs," Mendoza said. Mendoza has led the effort to get official club status for a Turning Point USA chapter at Lyons Township High School. The school has twice denied that request, calling the group partisan. At the same board meeting, members voted unanimously to go mask optional as of next Monday. Hinsdale High School District 86, which was a defendant in the lawsuit, decided to continue the mandate after the judge's ruling. That angered many students and parents, especially after the school separated the unmasked students from the others. Last Friday, the District 86 board decided to go mask optional.