Gov. Glen Youngkin’s mask choice executive order took effect Monday, January 24, giving parents the option to send their children to school without a facemask. Afterward, many parents who sent their child to school without a mask said their children were segregated from their classmates, sat along in the backs of classrooms, or removed from classrooms altogether, forced to spend the day in administrative offices, and denied a proper education.
The Prince William County School Board voted unanimously to sue Youngkin, joining multiple Northern Virginia school divisions who chose to ignore the executive order from the newly-inaugurated Republican governor.
On February 16, Youngkin signed new bi-partisan legislation giving mask choice to all parents across the state. But scars left behind by public schools’ forced-masking policies will be for a long time, said Miyares.
“Anybody has been a parent of a child has seen the impact of mask mandate had on so many children, particularly those that have learning challenges, kids with an [individualized education prorgam], that has been such a challenge,” said Miyares.
According to Miyares, standardized testing is showing more young school children are struggling to learn in the wake of the pandemic. Meanwhile, head-start counselors in the Fredericksburg region report seeing more small children in need of developing speech therapy.
Additionally, last month, the CDC revised its word count for toddlers, increasing the number of recommended words from 50 by 24 months to the same number for words at 30 months.
“This is something we will be seeing for years,” added Miyares.
Parents who feel school divisions segregated their children should contact the Office of the Attorney General and file a complaint, said Miyares.
In the weeks since the new mask choice law, the number of complaints to the AG’s office about school masking policies has decreased. “The last time our children were living a normal life, it was 2019, and so the goal now is to get them back to a normal life,” the Attorney General said.
Miyares commented during a visit to the region on Thursday, March 17, when the Attorney General visited the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office and the ACTS Food Pantry in Dumfries.
Recent Stories
At Potomac Local News, we go beyond the headlines to bring you in-depth coverage of the stories that shape our community. This week, we’ve examined the decisions and events affecting our region.
 The stage is set, the lights are shining, and the electrifying energy of Jesus Christ Superstar is ready to take over the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. The iconic rock opera, which first captivated audiences in the early 1970s, officially opened on March 13, 2025, and will run through April 27.
Bob, a handsome and playful one-year-old pup, is searching for his forever family! Weighing in at 52 pounds, Bob was recently surrendered by his previous owner, who found that apartment life just didn’t suit his high-energy personality.
Summer is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start planning for an action-packed season at Manassas Park Community Center’s Summer Camps.
Properly using a car seat can reduce the risk of injury or death in a car crash by a significant amount, with studies showing reductions of 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
Check your child safety seat with the Montgomery County Safe Kids Coalition on Thursday March 20, 2025 from 10am-12:30pm. No appointment necessary.
Fitzgerald GMC Rockville
McClung-Logan Equipment Company is hosting its 40th Annual Oyster Roast, a signature customer appreciation event celebrating tradition, community, and generosity.
This year’s milestone celebration will take place on Thursday, March 6th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Fredericksburg Agricultural Fairgrounds.
The first Oyster Roast began as a fundraiser in 1985, led by White Oak Equipment founder Frank McCarty, to raise donations for an employee battling cancer. This turned into a time-honored tradition for individuals facing hardship.
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
Environmental Film Festival: Turtle Walker
DC Premiere.
In the late 1970s, Satish Bhaskar embarked on an epic journey along India’s coastline and the spectacular Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where he uncovered the vital nesting beaches of sea turtles. During his death-defying quest, he unravels mysteries
