May 17, 2021
Dear Shrewsbury Families,
As many of you are aware by now, Governor Baker announced today that all remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted effective May 29 and that the Commonwealth’s face covering order will be rescinded on May 29. Per the press release, the Department of Public Health will issue a new face covering advisory consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education also released new guidance in the form of an FAQ document which speaks to masks in school and other topics.
All of this information is new and we are working to update our protocols accordingly. At this time, after consulting with our local public health authority, we can provide the following information regarding changes to guidance and protocols that will take effect tomorrow, Tuesday, May 18. Additional information will be provided as we get more details from the state regarding what requirements are being relaxed. Please see the table below for what is changing as of tomorrow and what remains. Masks are still required for everyone indoors at school except for eating with 6-foot distancing; however, students will not be required to wear masks outdoors at any distance (see specifics for different situations below). Please note that DESE is still requiring adults (i.e., staff) to wear masks outdoors if closer than 6 feet to anyone, regardless of vaccination status (we are not currently clear on why, but this may change when the new state mask advisory takes effect May 29th).
If you have questions, please reach out to our Director of Nursing, Noelle Freeman, at nfreeman@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us. We will keep you updated on additional changes as things continue to evolve.
Thanks for your continued support as we take these additional steps to return to more normalcy!
Respectfully,
Noelle Freeman Joe Sawyer
Director of School Nursing Superintendent of Schools
|
Current guidance |
Updated guidance starting Tuesday, May 18 based on new state regulations |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Outdoor Recess/outdoor mask breaks |
Students & staff must be masked unless 6 feet apart |
Students can be unmasked outside at recess/mask breaks, regardless of distance. Staff must mask outdoors if unable to maintain 6 feet distance, regardless of vaccination status. |
|
Outdoor Physical education |
Students & staff must be masked unless 10 feet apart; Cleaning of equipment once per day |
Students can be unmasked outside at physical education, regardless of whether distance can be maintained. Staff must mask outdoors if unable to maintain 6 feet distance, regardless of vaccination status. No change to equipment cleaning of once per day. |
|
Outdoor Interscholastic athletics |
Students & staff must be masked |
No change until the Mass. Interscholastic Athletic Association (governing body) meets on Tuesday, May 18; SPS will not require masks for student athletes per updated state guidance and awaits the MIAA’s ruling tomorrow regarding interscholastic sports and masks |
|
Outdoor Instruction of classes |
Students & staff must be masked unless 6 feet apart |
Students can be unmasked when class is held outdoors, regardless of whether distance can be maintained. Staff must mask outdoors if unable to maintain 6 feet distance, regardless of vaccination status. |
|
Cleaning desks at the end of a class period (middle/high schools) |
Desks cleaned each time class changes |
Desks no longer need to be cleaned between classes with the exception of desks used for lunch or other times when masks are removed. |
|
Shared instructional materials in the classroom |
Handwashing before and after handling; cleaning of items once per day |
Unchanged |
|
Indoor activities at school |
Students & staff must be masked at all times except for lunch when 6 feet apart |
Unchanged |
|
Use of fans in classrooms |
Fans cannot be utilized in classrooms |
Under review based on state guidance; no change at this time |