Return to School 2021

As the summer sadly winds down, the memories of relaxing evenings with family and friends and a license to eat as much ice cream as possible begins to fade. It’s time to start looking towards what will hopefully be a less stressful school year than the last. There are a few things to keep in mind when thinking about your child’s safety and services.

Schools Open Full Time, 5 days/week

The Mass. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has mandated that ALL schools must be open full time, 5 days a week. Remote learning is not an option except to those students who participated in a virtual school prior to COVID and those few students whose medical conditions might require the remote model. More information can be found in DESE/DPH COVID-19 Guidance for Districts and Schools: Fall 2021.

At the time of writing, there is no new mask mandate by DESE but it does strongly recommend all students K-6th grade wear masks while indoors, unless they cannot due to a medical or behavioral issue. Many districts have passed their own stricter mask mandates. The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend masks regardless of vaccination status. Masks on buses are mandated at the federal level.

Although not currently required, DESE and the Department of Public Health (DPH) do recommend that all faculty, staff, and students receive the vaccine. You may see or hear about a mobile clinic offered by DPH in your district. There are some changes to the testing and quarantining protocols for this school year. The following students are exempt from quarantining and testing -

• Those who are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic;

• An individual who is exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual in the classroom while both individuals were masked, so long as the individuals were spaced at least 3 feet apart;

• Bus close contacts - individuals who are masked on the bus when windows are open;

• Close contacts who have had COVID within the past 90 days.

See Testing and Quarantining Protocol guidance for more detailed information. 

Educational Services in the Home or Hospital 

For student’s who require educational services (general ed or special ed) in the home or hospital due to a medical condition, it’s important to know that this recommendation can come from a physician, psychologist, nurse practitioner or other health specialist. The proper form should be completed by the outside professional (one for 14-59 days, another for 60+ days) and returned to the school principal. Home educational services may also be necessary for siblings who aren’t ill but who might put family members at risk by attending school in person. Again, proper documentation by a professional is required. Educational services in the home or hospital may include various delivery models such as live streaming, remote learning, 1:1 or small group delivery. Whatever form it takes, it MUST include the same content as the regular school program. The amount of time and time of day for home or hospital educational services should be made on an individual basis.

COVID Compensatory Services (CCS)

CCS is not a new topic but it is worth noting that if you haven’t already had a conversation with your child’s IEP team about COVID compensatory services, you should request a meeting as soon as possible. If the school is refusing, you can contact Problem Resolution Services (PRS) for guidance.

Districts must still fully consider the parent’s input regarding their child’s services and access during the initial school shutdown (Spring 2020), as well as the school year (2020-2021). Other factors to consider include:

• If a student was chronically absent;

• If a student had significant difficulty with remote learning;

• If their IEP was not fully implemented;

• If they have regressed (this is the most common criteria a school uses for regular compensatory services, although not the only one to be considered).

DESE has given districts guidance on how to continue to stay engaged with students and families. If you are having difficulty communicating with your child’s school, I would suggest reaching out to the principal prior to escalating the issue to DESE or PRS.