February 27, 2022
Dear Shrewsbury Families & Colleagues,
Please note the following updates regarding 1) masking in our schools, 2) COVID-19 testing, and 3) determining interest in a vaccine clinic.
1) Masking update: Please note that the Shrewsbury Board of Health's mask mandate for all Shrewsbury public and private schools, which applies to all individuals inside schools and on school buses, remains in effect when school resumes tomorrow. The Shrewsbury Board of Health is scheduled to meet Friday morning, March 4, to revisit this mandate and potentially take action, after assessing COVID-19 metrics post-school vacation. The Shrewsbury School Committee will review its mask mandate and will likely take action at its meeting this coming Wednesday evening, after reviewing COVID-19 data upon return from vacation. Please note that the local Shrewsbury Board of Health's mandate supersedes all others.
2) We ask that as many students and staff as possible take a rapid test today: As February school vacation concludes, we ask for families' and staff members' assistance in providing the best information possible regarding undetected cases of COVID-19, which will help inform decisions on the mask mandates noted above.
- Those students/staff who are registered and who participate in the weekly rapid test surveillance testing, please take a test today, Sunday, February 27. We also encourage students/staff who are not part of the rapid testing program and who have a rapid test from another source to please consider taking it today.
- Any students/staff who test/have tested positive for COVID-19 at any time during vacation should send an email to your school nurse, so that the school has notification of the positive case and can advise re: the timeline for eligibility to return to school. School nurse emails are found here.
3) Planning for a school-based vaccine clinic: We have the opportunity to provide another school-based vaccine clinic in the near future, likely on a Saturday in March. This clinic will be available to anyone who is interested in getting a first, second, or booster dose of vaccine. In order for us to plan, please complete this short survey to indicate your interest and time preference. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Joe Sawyer
Superintendent of Schools