Yesterday (February 7) the following letter was issued to parents from Superintendent Steven Cheeseman concerning the mask mandate.
Download the PDF version of the letter or read below.
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Dear Parents:
This afternoon, Governor Lamont held a press conference indicating that the statewide mask mandate would no longer be in effect and that mask choice would be determined at the local level. He “recommended” February 28th as the date to make this change. Although the Governor “recommended” February 28th, I have chosen to end our mask mandate on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. Therefore, starting Monday, February 14th, Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic schools will move to a Mask Optional policy. This change comes in response to the decline in the number of confirmed cases and the strong vaccination rate among faculty, staff and eligible students. It also reflects the lower positivity rates in children.
As we make this change, please note the following:
- We recognize and support the recommendation of the CDC regarding student masking, but Diocesan schools will move to a mask optional environment effective February 14, 2022.
- Masks may be required on buses, as transportation is provided by the district and they may require them.
- Our schools are no longer conducting contact tracing nor excluding potential contacts.
- Those individuals who test positive WILL continue to be excluded from school.
- We recognize and respect mask choice. Everyone should be treated with kindness and respect whether they choose to wear a mask or not.
- Students will not be segregated, nor will they be separated by any barrier regardless of mask choice.
- Our schools will be open to parents and visitors as appropriate.
- Students may be required to wear masks on field trips if the venue requires it.
- It is imperative that parents act responsibly and keep kids home if they are sick or experiencing any covid-like symptoms.
- We reserve the right to reverse this decision on a school-by-school basis should there be a spike in cases within the school or local community.
Let us pray that we continue moving closer to normalcy. May God bless our school communities with good health and may Our Lady shower us with Her blessings.
Sincerely,
Dr. Steven F. Cheeseman
Superintendent of Schools
Diocese of Bridgeport
