Masks no longer optional at two Thales Academy campuses
Masks are no longer optional at two locations of a chain of private schools in the Triangle. Thales Academy is requiring students in Wake Forest and Raleigh to mask up after reporting coronavirus cases.
Several parents reached out to WRAL News with concerns about the school's COVID-19 protocols after its founder, Bob Luddy, wrote in an email to a parent that "the flu is far more serious for children than COVID.”
Luddy said he stands by that statement.
"It’s more unnerving now than it was going to school last year," said one Thales mom.
The mom, who asked not to be identified by WRAL News, had great things to say about the education offered at Thales and didn't want to jeopardize that by identifying herself.
"At first, there were no protocols, so that wasn't good," she said.
In an email sent to parents in July, school leaders outlined protocol changes from the previous school year. Masks became optional for students, staff and visitors.
"I don't understand why they changed it," said the concerned mom. "Last year, they did a wonderful job ... it was a wonderful school year, so I honestly don't know what changed over the summer vacation."
Another parent wrote to WRAL that Thales Academy "ripped away all sense of health, precaution and concern that was present at the end of last year."
That same parent got an email within days of the start of classes alerting them that their child had possible direct contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case on campus.
Another parent wrote to WRAL, saying, "the school does not inform us of school positive cases and we are only notified if our child was in six feet."
A spokeswoman for Wake County Public Health said they have not identified any clusters or outbreaks at any Thales location.
Thales' founder Luddy responded to WRAL News by email, saying, "the number of cases is low but the quarantine rules create a panic and a perception of a major COVID crisis. With the masks in place in Wake Forest and Raleigh, quarantines will be very minimal.”
Masks are now mandated at those two schools through Aug. 27. They remain optional at other locations.
"It is imperative for students to be in school, where they flourish," Luddy said in an email to WRAL. "Thales takes prudent steps to keep our students safe."
"I'm glad to see the progress they're making and the changes that they've made, but it's definitely been a scary first month back at school," said a parent who asked not to be identified by WRAL News.
A Wake County Public Health spokeswoman said their team met with Thales Academy health staff and leadership numerous times to review quarantine procedures and the effectiveness of masks, and that private schools are only required to report cases to the local and state health departments, not to the public.
