NATICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS MOVES TO FLEX MASK POLICY
New policy goes into effect Monday, March 7
NATICK, Mass. - Natick Public Schools has announced a shift to a flex mask policy, beginning Monday, March 7. The Town of Natick Board of Health rescinded the mandatory masking policy for buses and schools during a meeting on March 4. Moving forward, NPS will follow state guidelines to implement this policy, which incorporates the updated flexibility of choice outlined by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Department of Health, regardless of an individual’s vaccination status.
“As a values-based district, we will support choices,” said Natick Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Anna Nolin. “We fully expect to see flex masking for a wide range of both faculty and students based on individual choices, including the worry and newness of the transition out of masking, back to normal. We’ve encouraged our staff to teach and discuss this change.”
Students and staff continue to have the option to wear a mask at school. Staff and students who have health needs that demand additional support will be given support and accommodations through those means used prior to the pandemic. Other expectations of the policy include requiring masking when in nursing offices, and it is strongly encouraged that preschool students and those collaborating within the preschool remain masked since three- and four-year-olds are not yet eligible for vaccination. Any unvaccinated individuals across the district are also strongly encouraged per DESE/DPH to wear a mask but are no longer required by state, local, or DESE guidelines.
Under this new policy, students returning from COVID isolation must adhere to the five-day masking protocol already in place, and students feeling unwell or displaying COVID symptoms should always remain home.
The district’s weekly at-home antigen testing program continues, and specific guidelines related to sports participation remain in place.
The district’s full guidance and expectations of this policy can be viewed online.
UPDATED NPS COVID-19 TESTING PROCEDURE
January 26, 2022
As you may be aware, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has provided new guidance for testing for all K-12 schools. We wanted to provide you with an update on how these changes affect your child and how Natick Public Schools plans to conduct COVID-19 testing moving forward.
WHAT’S CHANGING?
Natick Public Schools is shifting away from pooled testing (PCR) and toward at-home weekly rapid antigen tests. We expect this change to occur the second week of February and will communicate a specific timeline once the requested testing materials have been received.
In the meantime, pool testing continues.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is providing antigen (rapid) COVID-19 tests for students to use at home with the expectation students test at home once a week.
- The tests will be distributed at school every two weeks. Each kit contains two tests.
- By opting-in to at-home testing, the tests will be sent home with your child so you can test at home.
- This testing program is optional.
- This testing program is free.
- Any student, vaccinated or unvaccinated, is eligible for this type of testing.
- If your child becomes ill at school, the nurse will continue to provide testing at school.
- Only positive results need to be reported to the school. Nurses will provide follow-up information to families, including the date for return to school, following a positive test. You can find your school nurse’s contact information on our website.
- Staff members should email their supervisor and school nurse with information on a positive antigen test result.
Please see the MA DPH Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for updated guidance on quarantining after exposure. The schools will not be contact tracing, so all are encouraged to monitor for symptoms and test accordingly in addition to the weekly testing.
CLICK TO VIEW THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT, INCLUDING WHAT PARENTS NEED TO DO AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.