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Date: 3/10/2022
EAST LONGMEADOW – After the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) removed their state-wide mask mandate within schools on Feb. 28, the East Longmeadow School Committee discussed the school district’s mask optional approach during their Feb. 28 meeting.
Superintendent Gordon Smith provided an overview of the changing circumstances, sharing that East Longmeadow is falling in line with DESE’s recommendations regarding masking after following their initial guidance back in August. “With that vote on file, we went ahead and continued to follow DESE guidelines and we lifted our mask mandate,” said Smith, who also revealed that the town of East Longmeadow also removed their mask mandate.
With students returning from vacation the day of the mask mandate expiring, the principals in the district reported that the transition went “very well,” according to Smith. The superintendent expressed that the mandate’s removal marks a welcomed return to normalcy. “It is nice to see people’s faces and see smiles, although we know masking is part of what kept us safe and helped us keep numbers down,” said Smith.
The superintendent acknowledged that some students will likely still wear masks within schools. Smith stressed that schools will support student’s decision regarding masks, while also reminding students that they still need to wear masks in certain areas, such as nursing offices. “In our health rooms, [masking] is still a requirement…We would like people to keep a mask available should a situation arise where they enter a health room or are in a large group,” said Smith, who shared that schools will also distribute masks if needed.
While the masking process is evolving, the superintendent said that daily operations within schools will be similar. Schools will continue implementing physical distancing in areas where its possible, provide hand sanitizing as a component of student’s daily routine and continue to emphasize building cleaning and sanitation, according to Smith.
“More or less, our daily operations remain unchanged,” said Smith.
Chair of the School Committee Sarah Truoiolo said the seamless transition is a byproduct of strong communication between schools and parents. “A huge thank you again to families, the building administration and teachers…the amount of communication has had to remain consistent throughout…It was pretty great we were able to come back from break and have that option for families,” said Truoiolo.
Going forward, the East Longmeadow School Committee will be removing the “Test and Stay” program while maintaining Symptomatic and Home Testing within the district.
The School Committee will meet again on March 14.