Canton Public Schools: Community Letter Regarding Feb. 9 State Mask Mandate Announcement

Press release from Canton Public Schools:

Leah Comins

February 14, 2022

February 10, 2022

Dear Canton Families and Staff,

As you likely know, Governor Baker and Commissioner Riley announced that the state mask mandate for schools will be lifted on Feb. 28. Please click on this LINK for the exact language in the DESE memo. I am highly encouraged by the announcement, as we progress toward normalcy, address student and staff well being, and remain focused on strong and safe learning conditions.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as a District, we have continued to carefully and actively monitor and respond to the latest guidance from Federal, State and local safety officials, quickly evolving and adapting our approach based on high-level medical advice.

In partnership with our larger Canton community, we are fortunate to have had the resources and capacity to invest in robust and highly-effective risk mitigation strategies, layering measures such as upgraded building ventilation systems, physical distancing where possible, robust in-school and at-home testing programs, well-attended vaccination clinics, etc., in addition to masking. These strategies have helped keep our schools open and students learning. We are very proud of the work of our staff, students, families, and community. We are extremely well-positioned for the future.

I’m writing to acknowledge the news and to review the decision-making process that we use for policy decisions in Canton, as prescribed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC).

Generally speaking, the District and School Committee, when recommending policy changes adhere to the following procedures:

• Give primacy to the application of the rule of law.
• Ensure that mandates from the federal and state government and DESE are adhered to.
• When relevant, rely on guidance from global, federal, state, and/or local agencies for decisions that require external expertise.
• Work in concert with our administration and educators to arrive at the best solution for our entire student population and their families.
• Consider input from all CPS stakeholders, including staff, parents/guardians, and students.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canton Public Schools have consistently followed DESE and the state Department of Public Health (DPH) COVID-19 guidelines and protocols. I believe that has served our community well. We have consistently made swift decisions for the benefit of our students and staff, without delay — and will again on this matter.

At the next scheduled Canton School Committee meeting on Thursday, February 17, 2022, together with the policy subcommittee, I will bring a recommendation forward to the School Committee, so that it may be discussed and voted upon in public session, as required by law. 

I want to thank the entire community for your continued support of our schools.

Sincerely,
Derek Folan
Interim Superintendent

This press release was produced by Canton Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.