Shrewsbury Public Schools: Update On Masking & Testing - Feb 17, 2022

Press release from the Shrewsbury Public Schools:

February 17, 2022

February 17, 2022

Dear Shrewsbury Families, Colleagues, & Community Members,

Please note the following updates regarding 1) masking in our schools, 2) COVID-19 testing, and 3) determining interest in a vaccine clinic.

1) Masking update: On Tuesday afternoon, the Shrewsbury Board of Health voted to keep its masking mandate for all Shrewsbury public and private schools in effect and revisit this at their next meeting on Friday, March 4.  Their discussion indicated that before taking action they want to see whether there will be an increase in cases when students return from February school vacation, given that there were sharp increases in cases after both the Thanksgiving and New Year's breaks.  The Shrewsbury Board of Health's masking policy supersedes all others.  Last evening the School Committee discussed this topic, and they communicated that they will make a determination regarding the district's mask mandate at their next meeting on March 2, after reviewing the case data upon the return from the break.  Their discussion indicated that if the case numbers have stabilized, the School Committee is likely to remove the School Department's mandate, allowing our schools to move to optional masking when the Board of Health's mandate is lifted (both mask orders must be lifted for optional masking to begin).  Because these mandates remain in effect, all SPS students and staff will continue to be required to wear masks in our schools when we return from the February vacation, and until any action is taken to remove the mandates and move to optional masking.  I will provide an update after the School Committee's next meeting.   

3) Planning for a school-based vaccine clinic: We have the opportunity to provide another school-based vaccine clinic in the near future, likely on a Saturday in March.  This clinic will be available to anyone who is interested in getting a first, second, or booster dose of vaccine.  In order for us to plan, please complete this short survey to indicate your interest and time preference.  Thank you.

Respectfully,

Joe Sawyer
Superintendent of Schools

This press release was produced by the Shrewsbury Public Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.