February 9, 2022
Dear Springfield Public Schools Community:
On Monday, February 7th, Governor Murphy announced that effective March 7, 2022, the universal statewide mask mandate will be lifted. In this announcement, the Governor cited the dramatic decline in cases, transmission rates, and hospitalizations, and an increase in vaccination rates, as the critical indicators for this decision.
At the board meeting held Monday night, we announced that Springfield Public Schools will follow that shift, and move to make masks optional for our students and staff members, in coordination with guidance provided by the New Jersey Department of Health, effective March 7, 2022. We will continue to closely monitor our school and community health data and will update the community as we receive additional information impacting this transition.
It is important to note that the mask mandate remains in effect until March 7, 2022, and the district will continue to ask that members of our community respect and follow the laws as set by the state.
When we enter this mask-optional period on March 7th, we must work together to ensure that we demonstrate respect for the decisions made by each individual and family.
Similar to the state trends, Springfield Public Schools data shows a significant decline in positive cases throughout our schools, with only 5 positive cases reported during the week of January 31, 2022. It is wonderful to see the big and little ways that we are returning, slowly and thoughtfully, to the pre-pandemic normal. In the last three weeks, we have had athletic games full of fans, removed dividers in classrooms and lunchrooms, and held in-person band and chorus concerts. We look forward to continuing this progress and are thankful for the support of our community.
Sincerely,
Rachel Goldberg