Versión traducida de la carta familiar sobre el mandato de Alma Mask levantado el 7 de marzo
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Dear Alma Families,
Last week, the state Education Commissioner announced that the statewide mask mandate will be lifted on Feb. 28, and that individual districts would be allowed to decide locally how to proceed.
Based on the recommendations by the Massachusetts Department of Education and Department of Health, with support from the New Bedford Department of Health, we have decided that beginning Monday, March 7th, masking will be optional for all scholars and staff at Alma. All staff and scholars who choose to continue masking will be supported in their decision to do so. Per federal law, face coverings will still be required on the bus.
Several factors were considered by Alma leadership when making this decision:
- Learning and social emotional benefits for our scholars in removing masks
- A much lower incidence rate of COVID-19 in our local community, expected to continue to decline in the coming weeks
- Significant increase in testing available to our community with the recently implemented free weekly at-home rapid antigen testing program
- High opt-in rate to the free weekly at-home rapid antigen testing program within the Alma community (this program will continue at Alma this spring)
Alma will continue to abide by CDC guidance which states that if an individual tests positive for COVID-19, they will be required to wear a face covering for five days after completing their five day isolation.
It is important to note that, moving forward, the choice to wear or not wear a mask is not linked to vaccination status, and should not be interpreted as a symbol of an individual’s vaccination status. In addition, should the state or local government reinstate a mask mandate in schools, Alma would be required to comply.
We greatly appreciate your partnership as we have worked to navigate how to keep your children safe, and in school, this year. Please send any questions you may have about this policy change to info@almadelmar.org so we may compile a Frequently Asked Questions document, along with formal responses, and distribute to families prior to March 7th.
In Service,
Will Gardner, Executive Director