Patch Survey: Parents Feel Their Students Are Safe In School

Massachusetts residents have more confidence in the state's school safety guidelines than in measures local officials have taken to reopen schools, according to an informal survey of 880 Patch readers conducted this week.

Almost 55 percent of people somewhat or strongly approve of the state's school safety mandates and guidelines during the pandemic. Those range from school bus capacity to leaving at least 3 feet — and preferably 6— between desks to a student mask mandate, which has been accepted.

Some parents responded the state's guidelines are so effective that they think most children could safely attend in-person learning.

"I believe kids should be attending class 'in' school," one parent said. "If the schools follow the safety guidelines that the state has put in place to minimize/stop the spread of Covid-19, the schools should have a low risk, to none, of spreading the virus while attending school, as we proven to have done so in the state overall, by adhering to these guidelines."

Local efforts, which vary between municipalities, haven't been as well received. Only 44 percent said they thought school reopening safety measures taken by local officials were safe. About 30 percent said "maybe" or "don't know."

Some school districts are still in a remote-only format despite urging from state officials to get kids back in class.

"We are no longer in a pandemic state," one parent said. "With the minuscule number of children contracting COVID, schools should absolutely lessen the restrictions. The kids have suffered enough."

Conversely, many parents expressed concern for districts reopening perhaps before it's safe to. Some pointed to children being unable to act responsibly and others to structural issues like inadequate ventilation.

"Some school districts (like mine) have been thorough, humane, and caring about student and staff safety," the parent said. "Others have shown very little regard for the safety of students and staff. It is scary and disheartening."

There is strong support for the state's student mask mandate, with 80 percent thinking all students should wear mask and 10 percent thinking just students in middle school and higher should wear masks. Nine percent believed students shouldn't be required to wear masks.

The near-universal support for at least some mask mandate is in line with previous Patch surveys.

The state requires a mask for all students above first grade who are medically and behaviorally able. Students in kindergarten and first grade are encouraged to wear masks.

About three-fourths of survey respondents said they have children in Massachusetts schools, either public or private. Most said they felt at least somewhat confident their children are safe in school.

"There is no perfect response," one parent said. "I think the schools are doing the best they can."