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Quick Download on Masks in Natick Public Schools



February 9th Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Press Release 


FAQ - 

  1. If the Commissioner of Education lifted the mask mandated effective 2/28 for schools, why is this matter before the Board of Health and The Natick School Committee?  


Answer:  “Masking will be a community choice in schools across the Commonwealth, regardless of vaccination rates within a school; however, a school district could establish a local requirement” from DESE Press Release (see above)


  1. So what did Natick decide?


Answer:  The Board of Health initially indicated that they would like to review the data a week to 10 days after February Break to ensure that any positive members of the community and transmissions had been accounted for.  


Read the Superintendent's Memo to the School Committee summarizing the February Board of Health Meeting and the recommendation that to review the data and move to a flexible mask culture on Monday, 3/7/2022.


The School Committee will discuss and possibly vote to modify the Mask Policy on Monday, 2/28 during its regular business meeting. Agenda here.


The Policy Sub Committee’s recommendation to the full committee is:

“That the SC rescind Policy EBCFA (Face Coverings) effective the first school day following the date on which the BOH rescinds the Natick Public School Masking requirement.” 


  1. What happens next?


The Board of Health, (data review meeting), is now scheduled for Friday, March 4th at noon.


Also, the CDC released new guidance on masks on Friday, February 25th.

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