On Monday, June 7th, Governor Phil Murphy stated that school districts have the discretion to allow students and staff to not wear face masks both indoors and outdoors while at school/school events, due to the heat our state is experiencing.
Throughout my daily endeavors in the last week or so, I have entered many public places where patrons are not sure whether masks are required or not. Similar to these instances that I have experienced, this new guidance for schools is not very detailed. As an educator, I feel that I have an opportunity to clarify what I feel is in the best interest of students that I am entrusted to oversee.
I spent the last 24 hours trying to determine which rooms/schools in the district are cool and which ones are not, but I do not feel that will be sufficient in addressing this. Therefore, and effective immediately, students and staff members may unmask outdoors and indoors during the school day/at school events, as well as for any extracurricular/co-curricular activities for the remainder of this current school year (2020-2021).
if the NJDOE sends out more specific guidelines, I will be happy to enforce those guidelines, but at this time, I feel that this is the best course of action to take as we have been instructed to make a local decision for the remainder of the school year.
Students and staff who feel that it is in their best interest to continue to use masks/face coverings can/should continue to do so.
Thank you,
Anthony Grieco
Superintendent of Schools