Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 12/28/2021
HADLEY – The Hadley School Committee met to discuss possible COVID-19 vaccine and pooled testing requirements for athletes and students participating in extracurricular activities on Dec. 20.
According to Superintendent Anne McKenzie, a member of the community reached out to ask if requiring the COVID-19 vaccine and frequent pool testing would become a requirement for athletics and extracurriculars.
McKenzie said the decision is ultimately up to the School Committee, but that she doesn’t know if it is necessary at this time.
The weekly dashboard data shows that a vast majority of students and families in the Hadley community are fully vaccinated, according to McKenzie.
Currently 82 percent of students in grades 7-12 at Hopkins Academy are fully vaccinated. 36 percent of K-6 students are currently vaccinated at Hadley Elementary School.
For athletics, 86 percent of Hopkins Academy athletes are fully vaccinated. Students participating in co-op athletics are 94 percent vaccinated. Overall, 88 percent of athletes are vaccinated.
“My hesitancy, personally, is that if it’s something the Department of Public Health believes that all children should do to participate in school programs, whether that’s academic programs or extracurricular programs, I would like the Department of Public Health to then add it to their list of required vaccines,” said McKenzie.
School Committee member Humera Fasihudden agreed.
“It doesn’t seem fair to me to single out any one subset of the population, be it athletics or after school participants or students who might be volunteering,” said Fasihudden.
In the end, the School Committee decided not to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations or pooled testing for athletes and students participating in after-school activities at this time.
Masks are still required in school and during extracurriculars by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education until Jan. 15, 2022. McKenzie noted that she would not be surprised if this requirement was extended after the holiday break.
The committee will continue to revisit this subject as required and encouraged members of the community to get vaccinated and receive their COVID-19 booster shot if eligible.
Those interested in watching the School Committee Meeting in its entirety are encouraged to visit the Hadley Media YouTube page.