Schools
Masks Optional For Outdoor Activities In East Brunswick Schools
Students and staff can choose not to wear masks during recess, physical education classes, and other outdoor activities, the district said.
EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — The East Brunswick School District announced that it was making masks wearing “optional” in some outdoor activities as extreme heat continues in the Garden State.
In a message to the school community on Monday evening School Superintendent Victor Valeski said the decision was made in compliance with Gov. Phil Murphy’s order.
Students and staff can choose not to wear masks during recess, physical education classes, and other “school-sponsored and school-led outdoor activities” as long as social distancing is maintained.
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“During these activities, masks will be optional outdoors for students and staff but social distancing must be maintained while masks are removed. Students and staff must wear masks upon reentry to their school buildings,” Valeski said.
The change comes into effect Tuesday.
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“Beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, June 8th, through the conclusion of our instructional day on Friday, June 18th, I will initiate our high heat protocol for wearing masks outdoors during the student instructional day,” Valeski said, while outlining the circumstances under which masks can be removed.
Valeski said parents and guardians can still opt for their children to be masked while outdoors.
On Monday, Murphy said masks are optional for school districts in extreme heat.
"As a reminder to all school officials, our current masking requirements do include exceptions for cases of extreme heat in outdoor settings and for situations indoors or outdoors where wearing a mask would inhibit the individual’s health,” Murphy said.
“School officials are empowered to relax masking among students and staff in their buildings given extreme weather conditions, and we hope they will make the right calls for their educational communities.”
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