March 4, 2022
Dear Shrewsbury Families & Colleagues,
This morning, the Shrewsbury Board of Health voted to rescind its mask mandate for public and private schools and school transportation in Shrewsbury, which made masking optional for students, staff, and visitors in our schools and on school buses.
Consistent with the age of the students, principals and/or teachers communicated about this change as necessary. In the coming week they will continue to emphasize the importance of respecting individual decisions regarding whether or not to wear a mask. As I communicated yesterday, it is very important that everyone in our school community respects the decisions made by individuals and families regarding masking. No one should be pressured or made to feel uncomfortable regarding their choice to wear a mask or not.
Over the weekend, I ask that parents and caretakers have a specific conversation with your children regarding your expectations. Please remind them that other students or staff will be making different decisions for a variety of reasons, and that others’ choices are to be respected. Please also be explicit about your expectations regarding whether or not they wear a mask in school next week, so that they are very clear about your intentions. This is important because it is not feasible for school personnel to monitor or enforce families’ preferences.
Please note that some mask requirements remain in certain situations per other authorities, including:
1) Masks will still need to be worn in school nurses' offices per CDC requirements for healthcare settings (masks will be available there).
2) Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 who return to school after five days of isolation (if they are asymptomatic) must wear a mask on days six through ten of the protocol, per CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines.
3) Students and staff who participate in school activities in other school districts or locations for athletics, academic teams, etc. must follow any mask requirements in effect at that other location.
Respectfully,
Joe Sawyer
Superintendent of Schools