Ochsner donates 4,000 windowed face masks to Jefferson Parish Schools
Jefferson Parish Schools (JP Schools) was the recipient of 4,000 clear windowed face masks from Ochsner Health to help teachers and students better communicate while adhering to health and safety protocols. Developed by the Ochsner iO team in collaboration with speech pathologists, the windowed masks will enable students to see the instructor’s lips and remove a potential communication barrier.
"Our priority continues to be delivering the best education and learning environment possible for our students while keeping everyone safe,” said Dr. James Gray, Superintendent for Jefferson Parish Schools. “Thank you to Ochsner Health for this innovative solution and donation. The windowed face masks will greatly support teaching and learning while complying with our health and safety protocols."
"All students can benefit from it, I believe. Because all of us instinctually look at another person's mouth or face when they speak," said Ms. Jennifer Pritchett, a teacher at Bonnabel Magnet Academy. "This will make it much easier for them to hear what I'm saying and then really concentrate on what we're learning."
The masks will be distributed to Jefferson Parish teachers and employees with priority given to those who work with the hearing impaired and youngest students. While seeing someone’s lips while communicating can benefit all individuals, those who rely on phonics and facial expressions will receive the greatest benefit.
Jefferson Parish Schools continues to follow its Start Strong Jefferson plan, which was developed using evidence-based guidance from Ochsner Health, the Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Department of Health for health and safety. Start Strong Jefferson requires all Jefferson Parish students and employees to wear face coverings while on campus, in addition to social distancing, symptom monitoring, increased hand-washing and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces.