February 18, 2022
Dear Parents/Guardians, Students, and Staff Members,
North Adams Public Schools has developed a webpage to report to the community the daily number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 by school. This information will be updated daily and provide a weekly total. The data will be provided based on the current week. This will be the last daily communication of daily totals as the website will provide this information. COVID-19 updates will be provided on occasion when there is new information regarding aspects of prevention, vaccination, and possible increases in cases due to other variants. You can access the webpage here.
Masks
The Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has announced rescinding of the requirements for mask wearing in schools as of February 28, 2022. This change in mandatory mask wearing will not eliminate the need for masks. Masks will still be required on school bus transportation as indicated by federal order and when students go to the nurse’s office. The school committee has an approved policy for mask wearing in schools which remains in effect and will be revisited at the regularly scheduled meeting on March 1, 2022 at 6:00 pm. Masks will continue to be required in the North Adams Public Schools until such time as the school committee rescinds or changes their policy. Exceptions to when masks are required are:
- Masks are not required when outdoors.
- Masks are not required when eating or drinking.
- Masks are not required during mask breaks.
- Masks may be removed indoors when necessary to participate in elective classes, such as wind instrument instruction.
Unvaccinated students and staff should wear their masks at all times, and students with a positive case of COVID-19 may return to school after 5 full days of quarantine wearing a mask at all times through day 10 from the positive test result. Masks should be provided by the student/family, but disposable masks will continue to be available by the school for students who need them. Masks should be fitted to cover the students mouth and nose.
Sincerely,
Dr. Barbara Malkas
Superintendent of North Adams Public Schools