Ochsner kicked off the holiday season this year by donating 600 “windowed” masks to the St. Bernard Public Schools. The clear vinyl window in the center of each cloth mask follows all CDC guidelines but removes one of the traditional drawbacks with mask-wearing. The new masks allow those in the classroom to see the lips and facial expressions of the user – important components in the educational process, especially for younger students, special education students, and those learning English as a second language.
Ochsner Health representative Mike Bouche and Alanna Fast from the St. Bernard Hospital joined the district’s Supervisor of Special Education, Cheramie Kerth at a recent school board meeting to share the good news about the donation.
School Board President Diana Dysart said the masks will be a great help in the classroom setting. “Thanks to Ochsner and the St. Bernard Hospital we have another tool to help teach our students. We are truly grateful for this donation.”
