The Marlborough School District is committed to providing a safe environment in schools during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Maintaining a safe environment is critical to the Districts’ ability to returning students to a full-time classroom learning experience.

According to public health experts, one of the best ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to keep members of our school community safe is the use of face masks or face coverings in times when transmission of the virus is high.  Therefore, using the guidance and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), the district has established the following requirements to continue to respond to the COVID-19:

 ·         Masks will be required in all school health offices.

·         Students and staff returning to school from a 5 day isolation following a positive COVID-19 test must follow strict mask use (other than when eating, drinking, or outside) and conduct active monitoring for symptoms, through day 10 of testing positive for COVID-19.

Unless specifically noted above; students, staff, and visitors are not required to wear a mask in school buildings but may do so if desired.  The District supports any student, staff, or visitor’s decision to wear a mask. 

In times when transmission of COVID-19 is high, and a face mask may be required by policy or by order of local, state, or federal officials; exceptions to this policy will exist under certain circumstances.  Exceptions can include but are not limited to: students with medical, behavioral, or other challenges who are unable to wear masks, which must be approved by the building principal in consultation with the school nurse or Board of Health.  Face shields or physical barriers may provide an alternative in some instances.

A student’s mask or face covering is to be provided by the student’s family.  Staff members are responsible for providing their own face coverings.  As supply allows, schools will make disposable masks available to students, staff, and visitors. 

Violations of this policy by students, staff, and visitors will be handled in the same manner as other violations of School Committee policy.

Guidance Statements

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-mask-requirements - mask-requirements-in-certain-locations-https://search.mass.gov/?q=school+health+offices

Center for Disease Control and Prevention – Guidance for Covid-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools Updated January 13, 2022

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html

 

Center for Disease Controls – Guidance for Covid-19 Prevention on Public Transportation

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education – Fall 2021 Covid-19 Guidance Updated February 9, 2022

https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/2021-0730fall-2021-covid19-guidance.pdf

SOURCE:  MASC

Approved: 3/8/22

Approved: 6/25/24