Dear Eatontown School Community Member:
As Superintendent of Schools, I am writing to you today in order to provide an important update regarding a change in protocol and procedure in relation to COVID-19 precautions. As of July 1, 2021, Executive Order 175 which mandated the use of face coverings and masks in schools was not reauthorized. As a result, the Governor has determined that each individual district has the right to determine its face covering and mask wearing policy moving forward.
Eatontown Public Schools began its summer programs on Tuesday, July 6th. As a result of this change in administrative direction and after close consultation with the Monmouth County Education Office as well as our School Physician, Eatontown Public Schools will no longer require students and staff to wear masks or face coverings in school unless future guidance or conditions change. However, students and staff have the option to wear masks and face coverings based upon their own individual needs, conditions, and/or choices.
One important factor to consider and keep in mind is that the guidelines for a direct contact still have not changed. If an individual comes in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, the individual must quarantine unless the individual who is a close contact was vaccinated. The definition of a close contact remains as of this writing, “someone who was within six feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting two days before the illness onset.”
Moving forward, the district will continue to maintain health and safety measures such as implementing social distancing measures to the greatest extent possible, utilizing air purification systems, and using enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures. As we approach the opening of school in September, additional communications will be provided to the school community.
Thank you for your cooperation and support. Our collective success rests on the community working together.
Sincerely,
Scott T. McCue
Superintendent of Schools