To the King Philip Regional School Community,
I hope that you are all having a great start to the school year. Following the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) latest guidance, I’d like to provide an update regarding our masking protocols.
Earlier today, the Commissioner of Education announced that he was extending DESE’s mask requirement in schools until at least November 1. The previous mask mandate, issued August 25, had put into place a mask mandate until October 1. In accordance with this update, all K-12 students, educators and staff must continue to wear a mask while in schools until further notice. The Commissioner will revisit this requirement in the near future to revise it as warranted by public health data.
Additionally, parents should note that masks are required for any sports-related activity for student-athletes and coaches when indoors, in alignment with guidance provided by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), and when students ride on any district bus or visit a district health office under the Department of Public Health’s mask advisory.
If a school demonstrates a vaccination rate of 80% or more by October 15, then vaccinated individuals in that school will no longer be subject to the masking requirement. Those who remain unvaccinated would be required to continue wearing masks.
At this time, the King Philip Regional Middle School reports 64% of students as either partially or fully vaccinated and King Philip Regional High School reports 70% of students as either partially or fully vaccinated. We encourage those who are eligible and wish to receive the vaccine to do so to help us reach the vaccination rate threshold of 80%. To find vaccination sites near you, click here.
By getting the vaccine, you are doing your part to stop the spread of COVID-19 and assisting us in meeting the vaccination criteria needed to rescind the mask mandate.
We will continue to provide any additional updates we receive from DESE regarding COVID-19 protocols. As always, we thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we adapt to the latest guidance and our new school year.
Sincerely,
Paul A. Zinni, C.A.G.S.
Superintendent of Schools