In a May 2 email to the SCDS community, head of school Lee Thomsen urged families to consider wearing masks in classrooms.

The recommendation comes in response to five positive COVID-19 cases in the lower school in the last week. In addition, Thomsen cited a 90% increase in cases per day in Sacramento from the average two weeks ago: “a reminder COVID-19 is not over,” he wrote. 

Thomsen also emphasized that the recommendation was optional.

“We stress that we are not requiring masks,” he said. “For now, masks remain optional and we respect every family’s right to make their own decisions.”

Head of high school Brooke Wells said an indoor mask mandate in the near future is unlikely.

“At this point, it’s personal responsibility. And we want to follow suit with the state,” Wells said. “I don’t think we’ll get ahead of the state with a mandate.”

Wells added the recommendation was precautionary — cases and symptoms remain low in the high school.

— By Arijit Trivedi