The Allen County School District will join school districts across the Commonwealth in the Coverings for Kids program. Announced by First Lady Britainy Beshear on August 4, the program helps  Kentuckians donate facial coverings to local school districts for use as needed by students and staff. However, the program will close at the end of October. 

   In a press release last week, the first lady said facial coverings are proven to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus and are critical to reopening schools safely and keeping children, educators and families safe.

   “As a mom, nothing is more important to me than protecting each one of Kentucky’s children, as well as the teachers and staff who work hard every day to help them learn and grow,” said Beshear. “Kentuckians generosity is unmatched, and during this pandemic this program will help ensure each school has enough masks to protect their students and staff.  This program allows all of us to show our schools how much we appreciate and support them.”

   First Lady Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman unveiled the campaign to school district leaders during a webcast with superintendents hosted by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE). In her remarks, Beshear explained that each district will choose how donated coverings are distributed. She noted that “most districts plan to give coverings to children who may need extra coverings, knowing that students may lose or break their masks or get them dirty throughout the school day.” Donations also will be provided to teachers.

   Coleman emphasized the importance of allowing each school district to use donated facial coverings in whatever manner would provide the greatest positive impact for children and families in their communities.

   “I’m an educator who trusts educators,” Coleman said. “We want to provide each district with resources and guidance while still giving them the flexibility to make sure these coverings are going where they’re most needed at any given time.”

   Both child- and adult-size facial coverings will be accepted. The coverings can be bought or homemade. There are links to tutorials and patterns that include both child and adult sizes on the Coverings for Kids webpage. The webpage also provides additional information about the program. 

   In Allen County, persons wishing to donate face coverings can do so by dropping the coverings off at the Allen County Board of Education located at 570 Oliver Street during normal operating hours. The District will start accepting drop-offs on August 11. Questions about the program can be directed to Christel Cooper ([email protected]) at the Allen County Board of Education. 

   The press release also noted that school districts that have chosen to start the year with non-traditional instruction (NTI) or that move to NTI at any point during the year still can participate in the Coverings for Kids program. Depending on their needs, NTI districts could store donated masks until schools reopen or distribute masks to students during NTI for them to use in other settings where masks are required.