Summary of School Reopening Protocols
Full-Time, In-Person Education
Per the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s requirements, and aligned with the recommendations of authoritative public health, medical, and educational organizations, the District will provide full-time, in-person education for all students. A remote schooling option will not be provided; remote schooling is not legally permitted for public school attendance for this school year per the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Students who miss school due to illness or quarantine will be provided with reasonable opportunities to keep up with and/or make up academic work, per existing school policies. The District will follow its usual approach in supporting students who must miss school for a significant, extended period of time (more than 14 days) due to a serious illness. Families who choose not to send their child to in-person public school must either homeschool their child, enroll their child in an approved Commonwealth Virtual School, or enroll them in an approved private school.
Masking
At the start of the school year, all students, staff, and visitors in all schools will be required to wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status. At this time, masks are not required for any outdoor activities.
This requirement is based upon the current recommendations of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the American Academy of Pediatricians, the CDC, and local public health officials, due to the documented efficacy of masking to limit the risk of transmission of the virus, the emerging concerns regarding the contagiousness of the Delta variant, and the finding that vaccinated individuals can unknowingly transmit the virus.
Masks must be worn on buses per the federal transportation mandate, PreK-12. Masks must be worn in the Health Offices, PreK-12. Masks may be removed when eating and drinking in school, and we will continue our approach from last spring where mask breaks will be provided according to the age and needs of students.
This requirement will be reviewed on an ongoing basis using state, county, local, and school data, including COVID-19 cases and test positivity rates, along with medical and public health recommendations, with the intention that the masking requirement can be relaxed at a future point.
Physical Distancing
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has removed any mandates regarding physical distancing, and strict physical distancing between students will not be required. The CDC’s guideline of maintaining at least three feet of distancing where possible will be followed. In order to provide a more normalized school experience, there will be times when the distance between students will be less than three feet. This is due to the importance of flexibility for instructional seating arrangements for small group work, the social-emotional importance of a more typical school environment, and the ability to utilize gymnasiums for physical education and activity.
Quarantine and Close Contacts
The District will follow the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) requirements for quarantining of individuals who test positive or who are deemed to be a close contact of a positive individual, as described in detail at https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/protocols/protocols.pdf. This includes the following guidelines:
An individual who is diagnosed with COVID-19 must quarantine for 10 days from the onset of symptoms (or positive test if asymptomatic). They may return to school after 10 days without a fever and if other symptoms have sufficiently resolved.
A close contact remains defined as either someone who is within six feet of a positive individual for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more in one day. However, the following are exempted from being defined as a close contact for testing and quarantining protocols:
- Individuals who are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic
- Classroom close contacts where both individuals were masked and at least three feet apart
- Bus close contacts where all individuals are masked and windows open
- Individuals who have had COVID-19 in the past 90 days and are asymptomatic
Close contacts who are asymptomatic but not vaccinated may continue to attend school if they participate in the “Test and Stay” protocol, where individuals are tested daily for seven days from the date of exposure using a rapid antigen test at school and may stay at school if they test negative.
Close contacts who are asymptomatic but not vaccinated and who do not participate in “Test and Stay” will need to remain home on quarantine for at least seven days (returning on the eighth day if they have a negative COVID test and no symptoms; if no test, returning on the eleventh day if no symptoms).
Any individual who is symptomatic, whether vaccinated or not, and who is not a close contact must remain out of school while they have symptoms, but may return if they receive a negative COVID test, is given an alternative diagnosis by a health professional, have improvement of symptoms, and is fever-free for 24 hours.
Ventilation
Ventilation is one of the important layers of mitigation to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The District will continue its enhanced ventilation practices that were in place last year. This includes maximizing fresh air exchange through HVAC systems that meet or exceed air turnover standards; opening windows wherever possible, and having air purifiers for occupied spaces and in classroom spaces.
Routine COVID Safety Checks (Surveillance Testing)
The District plans to again provide pooled surveillance testing for students and staff in order to identify asymptomatic infections and to help monitor the potential presence of COVID-19 among the school population. Last year this created peace of mind for many. Participation in this testing is optional but is encouraged, especially for non-vaccinated individuals. The District plans to utilize the free testing program being provided by DESE and is awaiting details from the state before proceeding.
Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene and handwashing will continue to be emphasized, and hand sanitizer will be readily available in classrooms and other locations throughout the school.
Cleaning
The District will follow CDC guidance for one routine daily cleaning. Cleaning supplies for additional cleaning will be available for classrooms, but multiple cleanings throughout the day are not necessary or recommended by CDC. If there is a positive case, spaces that the individual has occupied will undergo a thorough cleaning.
School Events
We expect to hold school events, masking if the event is indoors. Events that typically have larger audiences may be modified.
Music Ensembles
Chorus, band, and orchestra classes will be held with modifications as warranted based upon guidelines such as those recently issued by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association, which include masking indoors, using instrument bell covers, limiting time for classes and spacing.
Athletics
Interscholastic athletics will be held and will follow District and Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) guidelines. Currently, masking is required for fall indoor sports.
Respectfully,
Gregory L. Martineau
Superintendent of Schools
