It's not the birthday present 12-year-olds want, but Mary Cox got the gift of the COVID-19 vaccine. "She just turned 12 in July. The day after her birthday, we got the first one, and this is her second one," Erin Cox said.Cox brought her daughter to a pop-up clinic at Russell Middle School Monday.She feels like the vaccine is a rite of passage for Mary, now that she qualifies for the immunization."I'm really relieved now, " Cox said. "She's the youngest and that they will all be vaccinated heading into the school year. It's just a huge relief." "We know the school year is going to be challenging in some ways even more challenging than last year in some ways," said Dr. Lindsay Huse, Douglas County Health Director. Douglas County, Sarpy/Cass and Three Rivers health departments sent out general guidelines to school districts Monday.They encourage administrators to implement non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as cleaning, disinfecting, social distancing and mask-wearing."Absolutely, if children are unvaccinated, they should be in a mask," Huse said.The health experts stopped short of asking for mask requirements for the students under age 11 and non-vaccinated teachers and staff.KETV Newswatch 7 investigates reached out to all metro school districts.Omaha, Papillion-LaVista, Millard, Elkhorn, Gretna and Catholic metro schools said masks are optional and want parents to make the decision.Masks are also optional for unvaccinated teachers and staff.Ralston Public Schools has not made a decision yet and will discuss back-to-school plans next week.Same with District 66.Superintendent Mike Lucas sent an email to parents Monday, saying it will release an updated pandemic plan no later than Aug. 3. "We know, at the very least, masks will be optional and that any staff member or student who wants to wear one certainly can. We are not yet sure if we will require masks, and if we do, at what grade levels we might," Lucas wrote.Cox said she's okay with her children wearing masks to keep their classmates safe." I just feel like I can breathe finally, like we're all vaccinated. We did it we made it," Cox said.Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a law in May that prohibits mask mandates in Iowa schools for students and staff.