Randolph Students Can Return To School In The Fall With No Masks

RANDOLPH, NJ — Randolph students won't be required to wear masks during the next school year, the school district announced.

On Monday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said during a news conference that there would be no statewide mask mandate and that it would be up to each school district to impose one if they so wished.

School districts will also be required to provide full-time, in-person learning with no remote option.

"This recent announcement is reassuring that we may have a more traditional school year this fall," Randolph Superintendent of Schools Jennifer Fano said in an email about the school district's decision.

She added that more information will follow.

"We will update staff and families with additional information over the next few weeks as formalized guidance is received," Fano said.

Regardless of this policy, students and staff are still allowed to wear a mask and schools cannot prevent them from doing so.

READ MORE: No Mask Mandate For NJ Students This Fall, Gov. Murphy Says

Murphy said on Monday that the state anticipates updated guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) later this summer.

"I am pleased that the upcoming school year will provide a sense of normalcy that students haven't had since March 2020," the governor said.

Vaccination will be key to make ensure that schools can indeed safely open with no need for students or staff to wear a mask, according to Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli.

"While this guidance will help schools plan for Fall, the best way to keep schools open and safe is to get vaccinated," Persichilli said. "Now is the time for parents of children between the ages of 12 and 17 to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment to allow enough time for that second shot before school starts."