August 17, 2021 Reopening Update

 Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

At last evening’s meeting of the North Reading School Committee the Committee voted 4-1 in favor of supporting the District’s plan to follow the recommendations of the Department of Public Health/Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidance with respect to reopening school for the Fall of 2021.

At our meeting we heard from parents, guardians, caregivers, and students who respectfully shared their views with a large focus on the discussion of students and staff wearing masks. In addition to what was shared in the public meetings I have received several emails from those on both sides of this issue and the Committee felt it was very important to allow everyone who hoped to share their thoughts and feelings last evening have an opportunity to do so.

At this time the District’s plan includes the following recommendations from DESE/DPH:

• This fall, DESE and DPH strongly recommend that all students in kindergarten through grade 6 wear masks when indoors, except students who cannot do so due to medical conditions or behavioral needs. Masks are not necessary outdoors and may be removed while eating indoors.
• DESE and DPH also strongly recommend that unvaccinated staff in all grades, unvaccinated students in grades 7 and above, and unvaccinated visitors wear masks indoors, in alignment with the statewide advisory on masking.
• DESE and DPH recommend that schools allow vaccinated students to remain unmasked.
• Any individual at higher risk for severe disease from COVID or with a household member who is at high risk is encouraged to mask regardless of vaccination status consistent with the updated DPH Advisory on Face Coverings and Masks.
• Any child or family who prefers to mask at school should be supported in this choice.
• By federal public health order, all students and staff are required to wear masks on school buses at
• this time.
• All staff and students must wear masks while in school health offices. Additional guidance for school health professionals is forthcoming from DPH.

As you are likely aware, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently recommended that everyone in Massachusetts, including those who are fully vaccinated, should wear a mask while indoors. At the same time, Governor Baker reiterated yesterday that he does not have any plans for a mask mandate and that we need to continue to focus on getting as many people vaccinated as possible. With so many conflicting messages and information it is natural that members of our school community have very strong feelings on either side of this issue and it was very helpful for our committee to hear those viewpoints.

In Massachusetts the decisions with respect to masking has been left to the local boards and committees and in many districts the local Board of Health and/or School Committees have decided to exceed the DPH/DESE Guidance and align more with the CDC recommendations. As we are learning more about the Delta Variant and how this impacts children and the unvaccinated there is certainly the possibility that we may see additional mandates and requirements from either the state (Governor/DPH/DESE) or local Board of Health as we approach the first days of school year. As a reminder, our first day for students is September 8, 2021.

It is important that we recognize that, no matter our viewpoints, everyone is working to make the best decisions in the interest of our students. Our health officials will review local data and trends and make an informed decision for our community and whatever is determined the school department will work to ensure that this is well communicated and that all students are supported in any adjustments to their learning environment. We respect the challenging decisions that our officials have needed to make throughout this pandemic and we will continue to support any decisions that are meant to ensure that our students are safe, in person five days a week, and engaging in the learning and activities that are as close as possible to what they would experience in a typical school year.

I have included the link to last evening’s North Reading School Committee meeting and also a link to the slides for those who would like to review the presentation. In the coming weeks as there are more details we will have additional updates and communication and opportunities for your questions to be answered.

We are still awaiting additional guidance, updates, and Frequently Asked Questions documents from the DESE and DPH. Please let me know if you have any additional questions and I will be sure to answer them in upcoming communications and FAQs from our district.

I hope that you and your families are enjoying the remaining weeks of summer. Be safe and be well.

Thank you,

Dr. Daly