Flexible Mask-Friendly Expectations:

• All students and staff will encourage a school culture supportive and respectful of anyone choosing to mask 

• Many reasons exist for someone’s decision to wear a mask and everyone will be respectful of privacy and personal choice 

• Shaming or pressuring around someone’s personal choice to mask or not will not be tolerated.

Masking is strongly encouraged for those who are not vaccinated. We also encourage indoor masking for those who:

• have a weakened immune system;
• are at increased risk for severe disease because of age or an underlying medical condition; 
• are attending any large indoor events and community gatherings (e.g. athletics, performances, etc.) regardless of vaccination status.

Masks will remain required inside all school health offices and medical waiting rooms. In addition, masks are required for the following:

• All staff and students when in the Nurse's Office
• Individuals returning from COVID-19 isolation, prior to day 10, through day 10
• Individuals who were identified as a close contact, for a period of 5 days
• Individuals feeling unwell or displaying COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, should remain home. Those who have tested negative for COVID-19 and been cleared for school but still have minor residual symptoms are required to wear a mask while symptoms persist.
• Individuals identified as being part of a cluster at school, for a period of 5 days

Individuals feeling unwell or displaying COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, should remain home. Those who have tested negative for COVID-19 and been cleared for school but still have minor residual symptoms are required to wear a mask while symptoms persist.

PSB will continue to consult with the Brookline Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to adjust our mitigation strategies to enforce a safe environment for our community. 

Vaccination Recommendation

According to the CDC, individuals 6 months and older are eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Individuals ages 5 and older are also encouraged to receive a booster dose 5 months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series. The CDC most recently encouraged individuals ages 5 and older to also receive a updated bivalent booster dose.

Testing Kits

Testing kits will only be provided to individuals who develop COVID-19 symptoms at school. 

Reporting

All positive test results should be reported to the school nurse. Negative test results do not need to be reported unless you are identified as a close contact, have been experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or have previously tested positive for COVID-19.