hopkinton-independent-logo2x
Hopkinton, MA
loader-image
Hopkinton, US
6:17 am, Monday, July 27, 2026
51°F
90 %
Wind Gust: 1 mph
Clouds: 0%
Sunrise: 5:33 am
Sunset: 8:11 pm

SIGN UP TODAY!
BREAKING NEWS & DAILY NEWSLETTER





Mass. education commissioner announces statewide mask requirement for K-12 students, staff

by | Aug 24, 2021 | Education, Featured: Education

The state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education — after previously indicating each district would make its own determination — on Tuesday announced a statewide mask requirement for all public K-12 students and staff through at least Oct. 1.

Education commissioner Jeffrey Riley said he will reassess the mandate on Oct. 1, looking at not just vaccination statistics but infection and hospitalization totals. He added that more details and guidance will be shared with districts this week.

Hopkinton’s School Committee already voted last week to open the school year with the requirement that students and staff wear face coverings.

The mandate comes amid a surge in COVID-19 cases due in large part to the delta variant.

State officials indicated that they hope the mask mandate spurs an increase in vaccinations. As an incentive, on Oct. 1, middle schools and high schools in which 80 percent of students and staff are vaccinated can lift the mask requirement for those who are vaccinated. However, Riley indicated that this plan might need to be altered.

“We also cannot completely rule out the possibility that masks may be required intermittently throughout the year, based on the trajectory of the virus and any new emerging variants,” he said.

Recent statistics indicate more than 95 percent of Hopkinton residents aged 12-19 have been at least partially vaccinated, although the percentage likely is a little lower due to the chart using old census population totals. No data has been shared on teacher/staff vaccinations.

0 Comments

Related Articles

School Committee tables study about moving modulars to Hopkins School

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1qNkQPWaBc&list=PL8WekT6kxX1B3xlP6fIr3QmhJButK4GkU&index=1 The School Committee on Thursday voted to table a proposal to authorize $136,953 to study and develop a funding request for this fall’s expected Special Town Meeting...

Elmwood addition

Schools Notebook: Local collegians honored

A number of Hopkinton residents were named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The list includes senior Mena Youssif (a civil engineering major), juniors Sofia Bilodeau (psychological science), Joseph Kane (mathematical...

Boston College

Schools Notebook: HHS students shine at HOSA conference

A dozen Hopkinton High School students participated in the HOSA International Leadership Conference in Indianapolis from June 17-21. Arshia Tharakabhushanam, Hasika Chauhan and Yixuan Li, competing as a team, placed fifth overall in the Anatomage competition. Li...

Hopkinton High School

Literacy pilot programs adopted at elementary level

The Hopkinton school district will pilot three literacy programs in kindergarten through Grade 5 this fall, with an eye toward adoption of one for the 2027-28 school year. Jeff LaBroad, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and Julie Matson,...

Marathon School hallway

Survey on school schedule changes shows mixed results 

A survey of parents, staff, students and community members indicated that easing traffic flow, narrowing age gaps on buses and considering sleep/health are among the considerations important to them as the district makes plans to open a new school. With the...

School buses
Key Storage 4.14.22