NOTE: Watch the videos under “Resources” below before answering the questions.

1. List the who, what, where and when of the news story.

2. What rules at John’s school - Felix A. Williams Elementary in Stuart, Florida - don’t make sense to him?

3. a) What is the Martin County school district policy on masks?
b) How does John’s school’s mask policy differ from that of the school district?

4. What double-standard does this 10-year-old see?

5. Students in John’s school must keep their masks on for 7 hours a day, with the exception of eating lunch. John notes, "Breathing freely doesn't seem like something we should have to ask any other people for permission for." Do you agree with his assertion? Explain your answer.

6. The 4th grader also told the school board members:
"Wearing a mask all day makes me feel really tired and gives me really bad headaches. Sometimes I'm at school and I need to lay low in the dark until they're gone. My mask also sticks to my face when it's hot and it makes it hard to breathe. I feel like I can't catch my breath and that makes me feel claustrophobic and anxious. It's really stressful."

a) How did school board chairman Marsha Powers (who does not participate in P.E. or recess) respond to John’s experience?
b) What do you think of this school board leader’s response?

7. What do you think?
Should the Florida governor issue an executive order similar to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s - which states that public schools can no longer require masks on their campuses starting June 5? Explain your answer.

8. a) When should school districts across the country end mask mandates? — Immediately, at the end of this school year, in 2022, never…? Explain your answer.
b) For these local decisions, should a 10 member school board, the faculty and staff of a school, or the parents make the decision about ending mask mandates for students? Explain your answer.

OPTIONAL: What do you think of the school board’s treatment of John’s father when he attempted to express his opinion at the school board meeting?