Important Message to Families

Dear Weymouth School Community, 

 

Yesterday Governor Baker announced new guidelines and re-opening plans for the state of Massachusetts.  As a reminder, guidance set by the state related to COVID-19 policies in school districts is intended to be used as a framework.  Weymouth Public Schools has the authority to set and revise its own protocols based on the needs of our school community.

 

The Governor’s update included guidance for schools related to mask wearing in outdoor spaces.  The guidance states, “students no longer have to wear masks when outdoors, even if distance cannot be maintained.”  This update applies to recess, physical education, youth sports, and outdoor learning environments. According to the guidance, adults must continue to wear masks outdoors if distancing cannot be maintained.

 

 

Masks will be required indoors for students, staff, and all visitors throughout the district until the end of the school year. Masks should be worn as students are entering into and departing from school buildings, and worn on buses at all times. 

 

We are hopeful that COVID-19 positive case counts will continue to decrease as vaccination numbers increase.  However, we are mindful that COVID-19 still exists in the community, and we are committed to the safety of our students, staff, and their families.  We remain focused on keeping our students in the classroom until the end of the school year.  To support this priority, students will remain in cohorts, and all previously established COVID-19 safety and sanitation measures in our schools and classrooms will continue as is for the next four weeks.

 

Each school building is evaluating safety measures and will communicate any changes to school events directly with families. Families can anticipate that arrangements for outdoor events, including the Gala, will continue unchanged, with the exception of now being mask optional.  Previously planned indoor events will proceed unchanged. 

 

The district is awaiting guidance related to graduation from DESE.  Any changes to graduation plans will be communicated to senior families as soon this information is available. 

 

Thank you for your understanding, and continued partnership, as we work within changing conditions, and maintain our commitment to the safety of our students, staff and families.  

 

Thank you,

Kathleen Smith, JD

Superintendent