The announcement from Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf of a January 17, 2022, statewide end school mask mandates has several Bucks County School Districts ready to comply and others planning a cautious second semester. Alicia Roberts covered the different reactions for CBS Philly.

Citing the past logistics of getting students to respond to ongoing policy changes, some county educators back a measured approach. They have already had to guide students through several mask-on, mask-off cycles, as recommendations shifted in step with COVID-19 cases.

The Neshaminy School District, for example, was prepared to go back to school this fall without masks, only to change course one week before classes began.

The district has decided that it will meet the relaxation of the statewide mandate with a middle-of-the-road approach, especially considering last year’s post-holiday COVID-19 spike.

“We will prepare for both, because Jan. 17 isn’t that far away,” said School Board President Stephen Pirritano.

Council Rock parents seem to favor a more robust mask position, at least for now. They may, however, be responding to recent notice of a close-contact case with a positive-testing school individual.

“I just think it’s very premature. We’re in November. To see what’s going to happen in January, we need to see what’s going to happen in January,” Council Rock parent Rachel Rosner Handfinger said.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, as of Nov. 2, more than 2,200 Bucks County students ages 5-18 tested positive for COVID.

More on shifting school mask guidelines in Bucks County is at CBS Philly.