Since we relaxed our facemask requirements at recess for elementary students the other day we have had a few questions from families and community members on facemasks in the classroom that we want to clarify.
The current guidance from both the NH Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control is for both staff and students to use facemasks in the classroom, regardless of their vaccine status. We will continue to follow this guidance for the remainder of the school year. We do not yet know what the guidance will be for the next school year. We will formulate our reopening plans over the summer as New Hampshire and the CDC release their guidance for the next school year. We want next school year to be as normal as possible for our students and this community.
If anyone wants to read the specific guidance here are the links below:
- May 10th NH DHHS Guidance for Schools – Page 15 speaks directly to facemasks – https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/covid19/documents/covid-19-education-faq.pdf
- May 17th NH DHHS Guidance for Vaccinated NH Residents – the 2nd paragraph speaks to using facemask in schools – https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/covid19/documents/fully-vaccinated-guidance.pdf
- May 15th CDC Guidance – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/operation-strategy.html – the CDC clarified that all mitigation strategies, including facemasks in the classroom, should remain in place for the remainder of this school year.
If you should have any questions or concerns on the current guidance from the NH Department of Health and Human services, their COVID-19 call center is (603) 271 – 6996.
The Londonderry School District