Colorado School Under Investigation After Photo of Student With Mask Taped to Face Emerges Online

A school district in Colorado has launched an investigation after parents of students say teachers taped masks to their children’s faces.

Parents are looking for answers after a photo of a child with a mask taped to their mouth emerged online over the weekend. The student, who attends Chinook Trail Middle School in Colorado Springs, can be seen with a wide blue strip of tape on top of their mask.

Several parents shared information about their children allegedly having their masks taped to their faces by staff members at the school. A student’s mother at the institution claims her student was only given one warning before their mask was taped to their mouth.

“It’s developing some sort of mentality in our children,” said Stephanie M. “Your face is you, that is how people know you. They are just doubling down on hiding you and not letting you breathe. It’s conformity to the extreme.”

Now, an investigation has been launched into the matter; Academy School District 20 said it would be conducting interviews with more than 100 students, Fox News reports. “Late Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, a student from Chinook Trail Middle School alleged teachers were taping face masks to students’ faces,” the district said in a statement, KKTV reported. “Over the weekend, community members posted additional allegations across several social media platforms. The school and Academy District 20 are now conducting an internal investigation. We are interviewing more than 100 students and staff members to better understand this situation.”

It added: “Currently, we do not have concrete findings. As we know more, we will keep our community apprised. Thank you for your patience and support as we take the appropriate steps to address these serious allegations.”