Shrewsbury Public Schools COVID-19 Information for Families
2023-2024 School Year
UPDATED 3/28/24
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) and the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) issued guidance March 25, 2024 (here) based on an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (here and here), regarding, regarding what to do when you are sick. Our district will continue to follow the most recent MA DPH guidance. Please note the summary of our approach below:
1.) Vaccination and boosters remain strongly encouraged by medical and public health authorities as the best way to protect against the effects of COVID-19, the flu and other respiratory viruses.
2.) Symptoms of respiratory viruses include: fever, sore throat, cough and/or runny/stuffy nose. Stay home when you are sick, practice good hand hygiene and stay away from others. Consider testing for flu and COVID-19.
3.) Return to normal activities, including school, if:
- You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of a fever reducing medicine; AND
- Your symptoms are improving
The following precautions are suggested for consideration by the MA DPH for 5 days after resuming normal activities:
- Wear a mask when indoors around other people
- Wash hands often
- Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease
4.) Masking inside school buildings and offices remains optional for all members of the school community. The individual decisions to mask made by students, families, and staff will be respected.
5. ) School building ventilation systems will continue to be utilized in the same manner as last year, and opening windows is still encouraged to maximize air flow. Spaces without windows have been equipped with air purifiers. Like last year, some windows on school buses will be opened to improve bus ventilation.
As always, thank you for your cooperation as we work together to minimize the risk of transmission of illness while providing effective, in-person education for our students.