Westchester County has partnered with the Westchester County Superintendent’s Association to distribute thousands of child-sized masks at school districts across the County. Westchester County Executive George Latimer has made stops all over the County to ensure the safety of students and staff at local schools. The mask distribution is part of an ongoing effort by Westchester County to protect children who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. This latest stop was at Grimes Elementary, where the County Executive attended as a child growing up in Mount Vernon.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “It is a thrill to be able to come back home to Grimes Elementary. Growing up on the south side of Mount Vernon, this school was like a second home to me and I want all students and staff to continue to remain safe and healthy here. The County’s role is to be a partner with the school district, to provide them with the help they need to protect their students.”

Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Hamilton said: "I would like to thank County Executive Latimer and Westchester County for such generosity in helping the school district keep Mount Vernon children safe. The Mount Vernon City School District works so hard every day to fight the spread of this virus. We are thankful to have more masks to protect children who do not have a mask at home or who may have forgotten to bring one with them to school. This is certainly helpful for those who are not yet eligible for the vaccine."

Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said: “­I want to thank County Executive Latimer and Westchester County for partnering with our city to ensure our students have masks going into this new school year. We are excited that school is back in session and we are able to work on children’s educational and emotional health, these masks help them return back into the classroom.”

The County has procured more than 200,000 child-sized masks for students up to 12 years old. The Mount Vernon City School District received 10,000 child-sized masks.

Masks have already been delivered to: Rye Neck UFSD, Croton-Harmon UFSD, White Plains CSD, Somers CSD, Pleasantville UFSD, Dobbs Ferry SD, Yorktown CSD, UFSD Tarrytowns, Greenburgh-North Castle UFSD, Pelham Schools, Ossining UFSD, Mount Pleasant CSD, Byram Hills CSD, Bedford CSD, Blind Brook Schools. Elmsford UFSD, Port Chester UFSD, Bronxville School District, Scarsdale Schools, Mamaroneck Union Free School District, Harrison Central School District, Yonkers Public Schools, Tuckahoe UFSD, Edgemont UFSD,  and the Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle.