Medford Schools Shift To Optional Masking

MEDFORD, MA — The face-covering mandate in the Medford Public Schools ended Monday, ushering in optional masking for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

The optional policy extends to all transportation services, including school buses and vehicles providing specialized transportation, Superintendent Marice Edouard-Vincent said.

This week, K-5 schools will shift to a single eating location in the cafeteria. Middle school cafeterias will return to normal operations as well. High school students will no longer be able to eat in the gym, but may eat outside.

"I encourage you to have a conversation with your children about accepting the choices of their classmates and supporting each other during this transition," Edouard-Vincent wrote in a message to families on Friday.

The superintendent asked parents to let their teacher or school principal know if their child is having a difficult time with the change to optional masking. The district also provided the following materials to help with the transition:

• Choices for Masks at School
• K-2 Mask Mandate Social Story
• 3-5 Mask Mandate Social Story