Prairie South School Division is not making masks mandatory for any staff or students as classes prepare to return.

Instead, the division's back-to-school plan says that mask use is strongly recommended but that it will respect the choices of all families. Director of Education for Prairie South, Ryan Boughen explains more:

"The strong recommendation for masking it just that. It's a statement to families about what we recommend," says Boughen. "Families can choose to take our advice or to not. We won't be having discussions with students who choose or choose not to wear a mask."

Meanwhile, Moose Jaw's other school division, the Holy Trinity Catholic School Division, has made the decision to mandate masks for all elementary-aged students. Both divisions say they consulted with local public health officers before finalizing their plans. Boughen says Prairie South is emphasizing choice because it covers schools in a large geographical area with a variety of contexts.

"We have schools ranging from Coronach to Craik and Chaplin to Rouleau. So although both we and Holy Trinity occupy the same space in Moose Jaw, we have to take our entire division into consideration. We believe we made the right decision for the time being."

It should be noted that while the majority of Holy Trinity's schools are in Moose Jaw, the division also covers schools in Swift Current and Shaunavon.

So far, Boughen says the reaction to Prairie South's plan has been divided.

"I've gotten some pretty positive emails and some pretty negative ones. I understand that there are many reasons for making those decisions on both sides, but I feel that we came to the right decision for our context right now."

Tomorrow, Sept. 1, is the first day of classes.