APS Special Update
From the Office of the Superintendent - February 9, 2022
Amesbury Public Schools
Email: bartlettc@amesburyma.gov
Website: schools.amesbury.gov
Location: 5 Highland Street, Amesbury, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 388-0507
Facebook: facebook.com/amesburyschools
Twitter: @amesburypublic1
Dear Amesbury Families,
In his memo today, Commissioner Riley stated:
"After consulting with medical experts and state health officials, the Commissioner will not renew the state mask requirement after it expires on February 28, 2022. Effective Monday, February 28, the DESE mask requirement will be lifted statewide. The Commonwealth's high vaccination rates and widespread availability of COVID-19 testing for school personnel and students support this decision."
"Masking continues to be required on all school buses, per federal order."
"As always, any individual who wishes to continue to mask, including those who face higher risk from COVID-19, should be supported in that choice. DESE and DPH strongly recommend unvaccinated individuals should continue to wear masks in school settings."
The Commissioner also stated that he will continue to monitor public health data and consult with medical experts and state health officials.
I have received several questions about how this applies to Amesbury Schools. Let me share some important information:
- Amesbury Public Schools has a School Committee Policy regarding masking which can be found here. As a result, the School Committee must vote to remove, revise, or retain its current masking policy.
- We have a scheduled School Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 15th at 7pm. During this meeting, the masking policy and next steps will be discussed.
- Regardless of the School Committee's decision about masking indoors, masks must continue to be worn on school buses and school vans as it is a federal order.
- We anticipate additional policy changes from the MIAA regarding masking during indoor athletic contests. As we get that information, we will use that to inform our actions.
I know that this is a topic about which people are incredibly passionate. I sincerely hope that as we discuss our next steps as a school district, we can be respectful of the opinions of all, especially if they differ from our own.
In a section below, I have included a FAQ document provided by DPH that may address some questions and concerns that individuals may have.
Thank you,
Elizabeth McAndrews
Superintendent
Information from DPH - Q and A
What does the DESE-DPH guidance recommend relative to masking (here: DESE-DPH Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios):
- After a five-day isolation and/or quarantine period, wear a mask around others for an additional five days, except when eating, drinking, or outdoors.
- Individuals who experience COVID-19 symptoms should stay home and obtain testing. If they receive a negative result and their symptoms improve (including remaining fever-free for a 24-hour period without fever-reducing medication), they can return to school but should also wear a mask until their symptoms fully resolve.
- Unvaccinated individuals should continue to wear masks in school settings.
What does this mean for the testing, quarantine and isolation protocols?
For both child care and K-12 schools, students and staff who are participating in testing will be required to follow the masking protocols associated with testing (see above).
What does EEC's current masking requirement mean for providers and children? Will this be a big shift?
EEC's masking requirement went into effect on August 28, 2021 and requires that all staff and children 5 years old and older wear masks when indoors, except when eating and drinking. The requirement also strongly recommends that children between 2 years and 4 years old wear masks, except when eating, drinking and napping. Children younger than 2 years old are prohibited from wearing masks. Therefore, providers have had discretion in whether to include a mask requirement for children aged 2 - 4 years old. EEC will release guidance in the next week to help providers.
Why now?
The decision was made in consultation with infectious disease physicians, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and other medical experts. Vaccinations are the best protection against COVID-19, and Massachusetts has among the highest vaccination rates of young people in the nation with 51 percent of 5- to 11-year-olds receiving at least one dose; 83 percent of 12-15-year-olds; and 82 percent of 16-19-year-olds. In Massachusetts, 52 percent of all individuals who are fully vaccinated have received a booster dose compared to 42 percent of the national population.