Brookline Health Department Orders New Rules For Private Schools

BROOKLINE, MA — Although Brookline private schools aren’t subject to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regulations, many of them have been in contact with the organization, using their guidelines and guidelines from Brookline's boards of health.

But on Wednesday night, the town's Department of Public Health issued new orders for all private schools in town, requiring them to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet among students and staff; and asking that schools get approval from them for sports programs; in addition to submitting pandemic plans to the department.

Brookline Health Commissioner Dr. Swanni Jett said that most Brookline private schools were only following the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regulations, but not the Department of Public Health or Brookline's guidelines.

"This will strengthen our stance and prevent more cases hopefully," he said.

As of Dec. 16, some 983 people had tested positive for the virus in Brookline, up 20 from the day before. Of that total, 73 people have died related to the virus.

As some schools districts were slow to return to in-person learning this school year, private schools across the state have mostly been able to maintain in-person learning. That prompted some parents to drop enrollment in public school in favor of having their child enrolled in an in-person learning setting.

Some parents have pointed to private schools as an example that in-person learning can work amid the pandemic.

Does your child go to a private school in Brookline? How has it been? Do you feel it's safe? Send me an email at Jenna.Fisher@Patch.com or comment in the comment section below.