To the King Philip Regional School Community,
I’m writing to inform you of an update on the district’s current mask mandate. Under the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s current mask mandate, schools with a vaccination rate of greater than 80% of all students and staff may file for an exemption from the mask requirement.
King Philip Regional High School had previously filed for a mask exemption waiver and rescinded the DESE-mandated mask requirement for all vaccinated individuals at our high school back in November, but reinstated the mandate after winter break due to a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases.
Following the steady decline in positive COVID-19 cases at both the district and state level, as well as a strong daily attendance rate at each KP school, we have made the decision to once again rescind the mask mandate at King Philip Regional High School.
Due to a recent change in DESE’s requirements, unvaccinated students will no longer be required to wear a mask under the waiver, however, the district strongly recommends that unvaccinated individuals continue to wear a mask while in schools.
Community members should note that the waiver is only for the school day and for after-school activities involving only KPRHS students and staff, including school clubs and practices.
Masks must continue to be worn:
- by parents and guests at all times in the school building
- by parents and guests at all after-school events.
- by students at all times on any school bus.
At this time, King Philip Regional Middle School’s vaccination rate is 78%. Once the 80% vaccination threshold is achieved, King Philip administration will submit an attestation form to DESE to rescind its mask requirement for the middle school as well.
Sincerely,
Paul A. Zinni, C.A.G.S.
Superintendent of Schools