Tewksbury Schools Survey Parents On Masking, Learning Loss

TEWKSBURY, MA — The Tewksbury school district is surveying parents about their views on universal masking for the coming school year, as districts around the state make decisions on how to reopen in the fall.

The state is requiring districts to reopen with full-time in-person learning models, but so far has left specifics up to districts.

With the recent surge of the delta variant of the coronavirus, some districts have already opted to require indoor masking for the coming year. The state "strongly recommended" indoor masking for unvaccinated students and staff.

Tewksbury school officials issued a survey to parents recently, seeking input on potential mask rules. The survey, due Friday, asks parents whether they would prefer a universal mask mandate, a mask mandate for unvaccinated students or no mandate at all.

The survey also asks parents what their children's greatest learning recovery needs are, following the disruptions of the 2020-2021 school year.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.