School In MA During Coronavirus: Your Questions Answered

WORCESTER, MA — The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on Thursday released a long-awaited plan for sending students back to school amid the coronavirus pandemic. What that looks like will vary from district to district, but the state has set forth some guidelines to keep students and educators safe.

Here are some answers to questions about the DESE plan.

Is it safe to send students back to school?

State education leaders are relying on research that says schools have not been a major source of coronavirus transmission and young people may not contract and spread the virus at the same rate as adults. Some of this research is preliminary and relies on case studies from countries like Ireland and Australia, which have had much lower coronavirus infection rates.

But following some key guidelines may be the key to preventing coronavirus outbreaks in schools, state officials say.

How will districts handle reopening?

The state is asking each district to submit a reopening plan by August that falls into one of three categories: in-person learning with new safety requirements; hybrid learning, which would be a mix of in-person and remote learning; and all-remote learning.

What about masks and face shields?

The state will require students in second grade and above to wear a face covering while on the bus and in school. Younger students are also encouraged to wear them. All adults in schools must wear face coverings. Special needs students or those with medical exemptions may be outfitted with face shields or not have face coverings at all.

The state is recommending "mask breaks" whenever students can be 6 feet apart.

Families will be required to provide masks. Cloth masks are recommended because they can be washed and reused. School districts may provide face coverings to students experiencing financial hardship.

Schools will also have to keep supplies of personal protective equipment, like masks and gloves, on hand for use during the day.

What about social distancing in school?

Ideally, students will stay 6 feet apart at all times, but DESE says that 3 feet of distance is OK as long as other measures are being taken — mainly wearing face coverings and frequent hand washing. The World Health Organization has said that 3 feet is safe with those other precautions in place.

Desks should be at least 3 feet apart, according to DESE. Places like auditoriums and libraries "should be repurposed to increase the amount of available space." The state is recommending meals be served in class if possible — and if not, meal periods in the cafeteria should be staggered.

How often will students have to wash their hands?

There's no set number. DESE is recommending that students and teachers clean their hands "before eating, before putting on and taking off masks, and before dismissal." Districts should place hand sanitizer in strategic areas across school buildings, the state recommends.

Will students be screened at school?

No. This responsibility will largely up to families and take place before students leave home for the day. Teachers and bus drivers will also be asked to keep an eye out for potentially sick students.

What if they show symptoms at school?

The state is asking schools to set aside rooms for students exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. These rooms need to be separate from the nurse's office, and potentially sick students will use them until they can be picked up and taken home.

What if I don't want my kids in school?

The state is advising districts to "engage regularly and substantively with families" about making this decision. Districts are also being asked to have remote learning plans available for students who can't return to school.

What about flu season?

A bad flu season in the fall and winter could complicate school. State officials say the Department of Public Health and other leaders will soon come out with an initiative to boost flu vaccination rates in students.

Will the state pay for any safety measures?

Possibly. Education officials say a pot of $202 million will be available to school districts to pay for safety upgrades. The state is advising districts to assume that they will have to spend more than what has been allotted in 2021 budgets. The state will also have $25 million available for remote learning.

DESE also says that there's still money available from the federal CARES act to pay for PPE and other items.

The full DESE document on school reopening can be found here.