POST-WINTER BREAK TEMPORARY MASKING PROTOCOL 

Wednesday, January 4th - Friday, January 13th, 2023

Click here to view the letter to the BPS Community.

In an effort to maximize our ability to keep students healthy and minimize staff absences during this high-risk period, all BPS schools will adopt temporary masking from Wednesday, January 4th, through Friday, January 13th, 2023,a total of eight school days. Employees returning to BPS on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023 are being asked and expected to begin masking on that day.

-------

This is our ask and expectation of students and staff, not a mandate —which will be in effect during the school day on school premises and school buses. BPS will provide disposable face masks to students or staff who need them. No one will be disciplined or sent home if they refuse to wear a mask. Masks will be available for student athletes at practices and games, but not expected.

Boston Public Schools will continue to provide all students and staff with iHealth Antigen Test Kits bi-weekly, containing two tests each, to allow for testing during and immediately after the winter break. These testing kits will be available in all BPS schools and BPS administrative office buildings for any students and staff who may need a test. 

We ask that all students take an iHealth Antigen Test on Tuesday evening, January 3rd, or Wednesday morning, January 4th, before the start of the school day and that staff take one the day before returning back to work on January 3rd.

BPS will provide disposable face masks to students or staff who need them. No one will be disciplined or sent home if they refuse to wear a mask. Masks will be available for student athletes at practices and games, but not required.

Boston Public Schools, in partnership with the Boston Public Health Commission, will continue meeting on a daily basis, as we have done throughout the school year, to monitor community health and school data regarding COVID-19. 

Before Return to School Health Checklist

We all have a role to play in keeping our schools open and safe! In addition to temporary masking protocols, please complete this daily health checklist each day before coming to school, which outlines some things you can do to help stop the spread of Covid-19 and other infectious diseases:

• Wash your hands–Perform frequent hand washing and cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Don’t come to school if you’re sick–use our home health checklist to monitor your symptoms.
• Get vaccinated and boosted! Visit the City of Boston’s Vaccine Clinics or your medical provider.
• Wear your mask indoors! Wearing your mask is always a safe bet!
• Use your free Covid-19 rapid test before you go to school–Use the free rapid antigen test provided to each student. Test even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms.
• Call your student’s school to report a Covid-19 positive case–If your student tests positive for Covid-19, please report it immediately.
• Refrain from sharing food and/or drinks with others.