Good Morning Everyone,
I wanted to make sure you received the a brief update regarding our preparations for the fall of 2021 and the opening of school, especially given the recent guidance provided by the Department of Public Health and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on Friday of last week. At this time, here is what I am recommending to our school committee, given what is known about Covid-19 and the Delta variant.
Background and Context
As noted in the Updates to DESE COVID-19 Guidance released on May 27, 2021, all districts and schools will be required to be in-person, full-time, five days a week this fall and all previously-released Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) health and safety requirements will be lifted.
Recent updates by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to its Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools emphasize the importance of all students returning to full-time, in-person school this fall. The CDC guidance supports the use of vaccines as the primary mitigation measure in school settings, and also continues to recommend masking in K-12 schools. Additionally, according to the CDC, “Because of the importance of in-person learning, schools where not everyone is fully vaccinated should implement physical distancing to the extent possible within their structures, but should not exclude students from in-person learning to keep a minimum distance requirement.”
Massachusetts has among the highest vaccination rates of any state in the nation, and evidence continues to reinforce that the COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective, especially against severe disease. At the same time, even for those students not yet vaccinated, the apparent risk of COVID-19 to children remains small. These factors continue to reinforce that many previously instituted COVID-19 mitigation measures in school settings are no longer necessary.
In a letter released earlier this month, U.S. Education Secretary Cardona reiterated the importance of COVID-19 vaccine adoption for eligible students. This reinforced the message sent by Department of Public Health (DPH) and DESE Commissioners Bharel and Riley last school year indicating that vaccination is a critical strategy in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on in-person learning.
As a result of everyone’s due diligence and efforts last year, the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District, through a collaborative effort with local public health officials were able to mitigate the virus and had only 38 total cases of confirmed Covid-19 in our schools amongst students and staff.
Fall 2021 Recommendations
The guidance document dated July 30, 2021 was developed jointly by DESE and DPH and outlines recommendations on masking, COVID-19 testing, and quarantine protocols.
DESE and DPH also continue to encourage schools to maintain ventilation upgrades from this past year as feasible, continue hand hygiene practices, and extend policies for students and staff to stay home when sick. As always, we will monitor the public health situation and may issue additional guidance as needed.
At present, as Superintendent of Schools for the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District, I am recommending to our local School Committee the following: Masks are strongly recommended but not required for students and staff. I ask that parents/families please remain vigilant and remain aware of the fact that Covid-19 and the Delta variant has made the need for the following points to be carefully weighed when it comes to masks in school. As you have more than likely heard many times on the news and around town…
Masking
- This fall, DESE and DPH strongly recommend that all students in kindergarten through grade 6 wear masks when indoors, except students who cannot do so due to medical conditions or behavioral needs. Masks are not necessary outdoors and may be removed while eating indoors.
- DESE and DPH also strongly recommend that unvaccinated staff in all grades, unvaccinated students in grades 7 and above, and unvaccinated visitors wear masks indoors, in alignment with the statewide advisory on masking.
- DESE and DPH recommend that schools allow vaccinated students to remain unmasked.
- Any individual at higher risk for severe disease from COVID or with a household member who is at high risk is encouraged to mask regardless of vaccination status consistent with the updated DPH Advisory on Face Coverings and Masks.
- Any child or family who prefers to mask at school will be supported in this choice.
- By federal public health order, all students and staff are required to wear masks on school buses at this time.
- All staff and students must wear masks while in school health offices. Additional guidance for school health professionals is forthcoming from DPH.
At this time, I support the DESE and DPH masking recommendations; and once again ask that parents/families, students and staff take responsibility and remain vigilant as we begin the school year. And while masking is strongly recommended, not required, it is up to each and every one of us "working together" to keep the virus out of our schools by following the safety, health and wellness protocols as we did all of last year.
Please note: DESE, DPH, SEBRSD and local boards of health will continue to consult with medical advisors and may update the masking requirements above as we learn more about COVID-19’s effects on hospitalizations in Massachusetts and on children.
In the coming days and weeks ahead, DESE, DPH and SEBRSD will be providing updates. Here is a brief summary of what Governor Baker had to say at his news conference last Friday afternoon for your reference and use - so you may prepare accordingly for the school year ahead...
- Information has evolved to what we have today.
- Guidance has come out based upon and with DPH, and is a joint guidance statement/joint recommendation with DESE.
- We here in the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District are strongly recommending that all students K - 6 wear masks indoors, yet are not necessary outdoors or when eating
- Unvaccinated staff and students in 7 - 12 wear mask indoors, also guests.
- Vaccinated students can remain unmasked.
- Masks will be required on buses and in nurses offices at all times.
- Families can choice to mask students, even if vaccinated.
- Hopefully this allows some flexibility based on different communities and their vaccination rates.
- There are no other restrictions being put in place, at this time.
- We are not putting out guidance on distancing.
- All schools should be open 5 days a week.
- It is strongly recommended that students 12+ get vaccinated.
As always, I deeply appreciate your continued partnership and support of the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District. It is an honor and privilege to serve you and your children! #Progress #Unity #Knowledge
Sincerely yours,
Paul S. Haughey, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
@MASchoolsK12 @MASCSchoolComm