Shrewsbury Public Schools To Open Year With Mask Mandate

SHREWSBURY, MA — All students, staff, and visitors at Shrewsbury Public Schools will be required to wear masks when indoors, the School Committee unanimously voted Wednesday.

In efforts to bring back in-person learning, the school committee unanimously voted to begin the school year with a requirement that all students, staff, and visitors wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.

Superintendent Joseph M. Sawyer sent out a message to Shrewsbury families about the decision Wednesday night, saying the school plans to frequently re-evaluate the masked approach in light of updated local and state COVID-19 data along with medical and public health recommendations.

"I am confident that our schools will rise to the challenges ahead and continue to adapt as necessary to serve our students, families, and colleagues well," Sawyer said in the message.

The policy follows guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and local health officials, according to the letter.

In the letter, Sawyer explained that a remote schooling option will not be provided, as remote schooling is not legally permitted for public school attendance for this school year per the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Masks will not be required for any outdoor activities.

Shrewsbury joins many towns across Massachusetts that have decided to implement a mask mandate for public schools during the 2021 school year. Andover, Wilmington, and Woburn will all start the school year with a mask mandate in play for public schools.

A copy of the Shrewsbury Public Schools COVID-19 Mitigation Protocols for the 2021-2022 School Year is available here.