Lindbergh Schools is extending universal masking for all students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, through Jan. 19.

The district announced Jan. 3 ahead of students’ return to school after winter break that masks would be required for everyone until Jan. 19, in response to current COVID-19 positivity rates.

Prior to winter break, Lindbergh had announced that it would move to masks-optional when school resumed Jan. 5, as long as positive tests do not exceed 1.5 percent at a school, in which case only that specific building would mask for two weeks.

Lindbergh will review community and building data Jan. 19 to determine which buildings can move to a mask optional environment Jan. 20, at the earliest, or if districtwide masking will continue.

“We know this is a change to what our students, staff and families were expecting. At the same time, we must ensure we are monitoring and responding to the most current information available to keep our community safe while maximizing in-person learning,” the district stated in a news release. “This temporary change aligns with the revised Green Light Plan. … Our revised plan allows for a return to universal masking if community data warrants such measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

High schools in the Mehlville School District were slated to go mask-optional Dec. 23, but the Mehlville Board of Education voted in a special meeting Jan. 4 to extend that date out to Jan. 17 for all students, K-12.