Draft Of Arlington Back-To-School Plans To Be Presented Thursday

ARLINGTON, MA — A draft of Arlington's return-to-school plans will be presented to the School Committee this Thursday.

"We know that families are looking forward to hearing more about our plans for the fall, and we look forward to sharing them in the coming weeks. We appreciate the community’s patience as we work diligently to deliver this collaborative plan," Superintendent Elizabeth Homan said in an Aug. 1 statement. "Above all, our mission is to keep all students and staff safe while ensuring a welcoming and supportive return to in-person learning."

The plan will include health and safety protocols under updated guidance from the CDC, approaches to assessment and instruction and support for students' academic and mental health needs.

The planning process includes an advisory committee of more than 90 family representatives, teachers, administrators, community leaders and town officials. The community will have the opportunity to provide feedback about the draft following Thursday's meeting.

The School Committee will vote on a final plan in late August.

The draft will outline health and safety protocols for:

- Masking of students and staff

- Supporting and monitoring vaccination rates of students and staff

- Ventilation and air purification

- Sanitization and cleaning

- Physical distancing

- Meals, transportation, and other services

The district will continue pooled testing for students and staff in the fall, and encourages all students to participate. Instructions for parents and guardians on providing consent for their child to participate in this program will be announced at a later date.

Additionally, Arlington Health and Human Services continues to conduct contact tracing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in town. There was an increase in COVID-19 cases in Arlington last month, which followed state and nationwide trends that were attributed to the Delta variant.

Arlington Health and Human Services recommends that residents follow the new mask advisory issued by the DPH, following guidance from the CDC. Effective July 30, the state recommends that vaccinated residents who are at increased risk from COVID-19, or who live with someone at increased risk, should wear a face covering in indoor public settings. The DPH also advises all unvaccinated residents to continue to wear a face covering in indoor public settings when social distancing cannot be maintained.

Masks are mandatory for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, while using public transportation and ride-shares, healthcare facilities and other settings hosting vulnerable populations, including congregate care settings.

"It is more important than ever to get vaccinated, especially with COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant rising across the country, and potentially impacting vulnerable populations, including those with weakened immune systems," Director of Health and Human Services Christine Bongiorno said in a statement. "We urge residents that haven’t been vaccinated yet to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccination serves as the best defense against serious illness or death due to COVID-19."

COVID-19 vaccines are free and available to anyone above the age of 12. Residents who wish to get vaccinated can register at vaxfinder.mass.gov