EL CAJON, CA (KGTV) - Students at a private school in El Cajon are scheduled to return to class next month.
Parents of children at Foothills Christian Middle School got a letter from the school over the weekend outlining their re-opening plan.
According to the letter, the school will re-open September 8th.
A local mom contacted 10News concerned about the plan. She didn't give her name because she doesn't want retaliation against her daughter. She was surprised at the September return date.
"If schools could be open, I would send her to school, if the county said we could do that, I would do that, but they're saying we can't go to school and we should be wearing masks," said the mom.
According to the letter, there is a five step plan for reopening:
*Regular COVID-19 self-check screening questions
*Temperature readings prior to entering campus
*Hand hygiene
*Environmental Cleaning/Sanitization and Refillable Water Bottle Stations
*Face masks/coverings
The letter states that face coverings will not be required, but will be optional on campus. It goes on to list several reasons, including:
*There is a lack of evidence that wearing a face mask prevents COVID-19 transmission in children
*Children are not typically trained in their use and there is potential for increased risk of infection with improper mask use
*Masks can be irritating and may lead to increased touching of face and eyes
*It is impractical for a child to wear a mask properly for the duration of the school day
The mom who contacted us says this will send mixed messages to her child.
"What we're telling her at home is completely different than, this is completely opposite of everything we're doing. So it's shocking to her, she's like why wouldn't I wear a mask," said the mom.
The letter states wearing a mask will be the personal choice of students or faculty, but there may be some occasions where face coverings are required, like field trips.
"I wouldn't want her to wear a mask at school and be peer pressured not to, or be made fun of for wearing it," said the mom.
As far as social distancing, the letter only states, "we will do our best to encourage physical distancing."
The letter asks parents and their child to sign it, agreeing to the terms before returning to school.
According to CA's governor, counties on the state's COVID-19 monitoring list cannot open schools for in-person instruction. San Diego county remains on that list. Elementary schools can apply for a waiver to return to school.
10News called and emailed the school principal for comment, but she did not respond.
