Dear Staff, Parents, and Community,

This afternoon Governor Murphy issued masking discretion for districts during the next few days’ Heat Advisory. While not an issue in all of our instructional spaces, it is a concern. Relaxing the masking requirement is contradictory to the current Executive Order, and to the guidance from the CDC and Departments of Health.

On May 26, 2021 Governor Murphy announced that the executive orders, pursuant to the Public Health Emergency would expire in 30 days. The Executive Order details that the CDC guidance for K-12 operations notes that schools should continue to follow current mitigation protocols through the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.

Therefore, we will continue with the mask mandate.  We will increase the numbers of opportunities for students and staff to remove their masks during mask breaks and when six feet of social distancing can be maintained, and continue to rotate staff and students into air-conditioned and outdoor spaces. During these Heat Advisory days, families are also able to choose the virtual option for their students. If choosing the virtual option for these days due to heat, please contact the school in the same manner you would for any attendance notification.

We know how challenging this year has been and as we come to the end of the school year, we are also ready to move ahead and enjoy some level of normalcy. We are also looking forward to the Executive Orders expiring at the end of the month, and to our full day return in September, without constraints.  We will be sharing our reopening plans for September in the coming weeks and will welcome your feedback.