Manchester Schools Make Masks Optional On Buses

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township School District is making masks optional for students and staff in the school buildings Wednesday, Thursday and Friday due to the extreme heat, the superintendent said Tuesday.

The announcement comes after district administrators had an opportunity to meet with principals, teachers and some students in the district about the requirement to wear masks, one of the remaining restrictions in the coronavirus pandemic.

The review was in response to Gov. Phil Murphy's announcement on Monday that school districts could decide locally on the issue of masks in extreme heat, which Murphy said is an exception in the executive order requiring masks in schools.

"Today, I was able to visit all of the schools and speak with the principals, teachers and some students in each of the classrooms. The conclusion is that we are very fortunate in Manchester as each of the schools have air conditioning throughout the school and nearly all of the rooms were comfortable despite the high heat today," Superintendent David Trethaway said.

The district will make the following changes to the mask policy, he said:

• When students or staff are outside, no masks will be required.
• Beginning Wednesday through the end of the school year, masks will be optional on all buses.

After Friday's classes, the district will review the conditions and procedures in each school during these three days, and officials will decide whether to make masks optional in school for the rest of the school year, he said.

Trethaway said the daily health screening forms still need to be completed each day. Temperatures will not be taken as students enter the building on days where the weather is extremely hot because it is impractical, he said.

Students and staff should continue to bring a mask to school each day.

"Parents should discuss the option of wearing a mask with their children and select what decision is best for each child. It is important that these individual decisions are respected by everyone," Trethaway said. "It is also important to note that this directive applies only in the event of excessive heat."

He said teachers always have the prerogative to allow for mask breaks at any time.

"We are fortunate that our classrooms have air conditioning that is functioning well, which is not the case in every school district," he said.

"I understand that wearing masks has been challenging and uncomfortable this year and I appreciate the cooperation of our staff, students and parents," Trethaway said. "I want to assure you that we will take every step necessary to hopefully have no mask requirement for the beginning of the next school year."

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