LS Mask requirement update
Posted on 05/20/2021
Dear LS Students, Families and Staff,
Thank you for your patience as we process and adjust to this week’s federal and state updates regarding mask guidance in school and when participating in school authorized activities. Consistent with recent news from the MIAA and DESE, and supported by our local health department, starting tomorrow, Wednesday, May 19, 2021:
1. In regard to outdoor learning spaces, students no longer have to wear masks when outdoors, even if distance cannot be maintained. Adults must continue to wear masks outdoors if distancing cannot be maintained. At this time, adults and students must continue to wear masks indoors.
2. For outdoor sports:
• Athletes on spring teams in active play outdoors are not required to wear a mask/facial covering.
• Athletes when they are on the bench or in a dugout are not required to wear a mask/facial covering.
• Spectators and chaperones, coaches, staff, referees, umpires and other officials who can social distance while outdoors, are not required to wear a mask/face covering.
3. For indoor sports:
• LS offers Volleyball which is considered a moderate risk sport. So there are no changes to the current rules for volleyball at this time. Masks remain required for all participants.
• Visitors, spectators, volunteers, and staff while indoors are required to wear a mask/facial covering.
• Athletes in low-risk sports when indoors where a distance of at least 14 feet or more is consistently maintained between each participant, are not required to wear a mask/ facial covering. LS is not offering any low-risk indoor sports at this time.
Finally, we are actively seeking further clarification from DESE, state and local health agencies on chorus, band, and other nuanced outdoor gatherings (including prom and graduation) and programs.
Contact tracing rules remain unchanged.
The change in mask wearing guidance is only possible because our local and state experience with rates of COVID infection has improved so significantly. This is really really great news!! At the same time risk does remain which is why mask wearing is still required in certain situations. I also remind you that some individuals may have unique circumstances (personally or due to close household members) that merit a higher level of caution. Please respect that while mask requirements will be diminished many members of our community may choose to continue to wear them. After living with so many extra rules and restrictions for so long let’s embrace this freedom among us to choose.
With gratitude and pride,
Bella Wong