Hardin County Schools is calling on all community members who have the talent of sewing to make masks.
“We know we’re still more than two months away from the start of school,” HCS Superintendent Teresa Morgan said. “However, we are well into the mode of preparing for the 2020-2021 school year. We don’t know exactly what the guidelines will be but we fully expect that our students and staff might be asked to wear masks. We don’t know that for sure but we have to be ready for it.”
Those interested in volunteering to make masks can do so individually or as a group (i.e., civic, faith-based, etc). These individuals and/or groups need to register themselves and request material by filling out a form on the HCS website (CLICK HERE for the form). This form will be located under the Quick Links tab of the website. It will be labeled as “Mask Making Volunteer Form.”
Volunteers can make as many masks as they choose. The district asks that material for the masks made by community volunteers be picked up at the Central Office. While masks that may have already been made before this initiative or made with donated material are appreciated, there is a need for uniformity.
The material volunteers will receive from the district will be lightweight and have solid colors. Also, certain colors will be designated for certain grade levels. For example, green may be used for kindergarten students, red for elementary schools and blue for middle/high school students, etc. By establishing these guidelines, the masks can be easily sorted and delivered to the appropriate students that need them. These donated masks will be given to students when they arrive at school or get on a bus each morning and will be taken from them when they leave school or get off the bus each afternoon. They will be washed, dried and sanitized.
When the material is ready for an individual or a group to pick-up from the district, HCS staff will call the individual and/or group listed on the form. Volunteers will also be given a pattern for needed masks when they receive their material.
“A lot of students and staff will bring their own masks if they are requested to wear one,” Morgan said. “However, we know that some will not. That is why we are seeking about 5,000 masks from our community volunteers. We hope these masks will provide the ability to contain COVID-19 and keep students in school.”
“Over the past three months, we have been humbled by the overwhelming kindness of our community. The community has stepped up at every opportunity to show their level of care and concern. Multiple people and groups have offered to donate a handmade mask. We certainly want to take advantage of their talents and generosity.”
Questions about the mask-making effort can be sent to HCS Community Relations Specialist John Wright at john.wright@hardin.kyschools.us or 270-769-8867.