RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Roy Cooper is strongly encouraging schools to enforce children from kindergarten through eighth grade to wear masks indoors during this upcoming 2021-22 school year.

Gov. Roy Cooper says all kids K-8 should wear masks this upcoming school year

High schoolers who are not vaccinated are encouraged to wear masks

State education superintendent says mask mandates should be determined by local superintendents, parents and school boards

Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen made the announcement of their updated public health guidelines, the Strong School NC Public Health Tool Kit.

“The most important work our state will do next month is getting all our school children back into the classrooms safely for in-person learning,” Cooper said. “That’s the best way for them to learn, and we want their school days to be as close to normal as possible, especially after a year of disruption.”

Children under 12 are not allowed to get the vaccine yet, leading to the recommendation for school systems to enforce masks. 

Cohen reports that about 25% of high schoolers are vaccinated. High schoolers who are not vaccinated are encouraged to wear masks, but those who are vaccinated will not have to. 

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt released a statement in response to the governor's updated guidelines. 

Truitt said the guidance was important, but added, "as a proponent of local control, I’ve felt the decision on mask mandates should be made by those most in tune with their student population and know that superintendents, parents and school boards will act in the best interest of their students.”

Cooper did not give a direct answer on how they would enforce schools to follow their recommendation, but hopes school systems will use them.

"Masks can save lives," Cooper said. "Particularly in children who cannot get a vaccination yet because they are under 12 years old, so it's important for these school districts to take steps to protect children." 

Behavioral Analyst Kellie Syfan has seen how the ever-changing conditions of the pandemic have impacted children.

"We're seeing a lot of kids that are confused between 'everything seems to be dangerous,' and now 'everything seems to be — starting to be safe,'" said Syfan, owner of Applied Behavioral Happiness. 

Syfan says that can translate to behavioral issues at home or at school as children get back to interacting with others. Preparing children for change as much as you can could help curb the behavior.

"Whether or not we know exactly what's going to happen in this next year, going through with your child and exploring different contingencies of what they could look like is going to be really helpful," Syfan said.

Cooper says if COVID-19 cases start to increase in schools as children head back, he will reconsider restrictions.