March 2, 2022 By Carol Britton Meyer
The Hingham Public Schools mask-optional policy went into effect Monday -- in conjunction with Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley's lifting of the statewide public schools face mask mandate effective Feb. 28 -- with no apparent issues, according to Interim Principal Gary Maestas.
"I reached out to the principals this afternoon and heard good reports," he told the School Committee Monday night. "They thought it went well."
On a related note, Maestas said that the School Department will continue to post the number of COVID-positive cases in the schools every Friday.
He also reported that families were notified over the weekend that due to a change in guidance from the Department of Education based on a recent Centers for Disease Control update, there is no longer a mask mandate for school busses. Further, most face mask decisions now rest with local communities.
Director of Business and Support Services John Ferris noted that safety and health measures are still being taken on school busses, including opening the windows and disinfecting the busses every night. "It's probably a good thing that the school bus mask mandate was lifted, because with a mask-optional policy now in place in our school buildings, students who aren't wearing face masks while in school might forget to put one on when entering a school bus," he said.
Meanwhile, while not requiring masks on school busses, the CDC and DOE are recommending that they be worn, according to Maestas. PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) such as face masks are still available to bus drivers and school staff who wish to wear them.
School Committee member Michelle Ayer noted that there are "still a lot of students and staff members who need to wear masks [for one reason or another]" and will continue to do so even though they are not required.
Student Advisory Board member Elijah Webber said that on Monday he hadn't witnessed nor did he hear of any reports of "unpleasantness" related to students and staff wearing face masks or not wearing them. "It's going very well so far. A great many were taking advantage of the mask-optional policy and not wearing masks, while many are wary and still wearing them," he said.
Masks are still required in school nurses' offices and after returning from COVID quarantine. The School Committee has no local control over this Department of Elementary & Secondary Education directive.
In other business at the meeting, the Committee decided after an earlier discussion and another review of a temporary Overnight Field Trip COVID Travel Policy draft by the policy subcommittee to make decisions about vaccination requirements and related considerations for proposed school field trips on a case-by-case basis because of the constantly-changing COVID-related health and safety guidance and mandates.
Requirements for field trips that have already been approved will remain in place.