Statewide School Mask Mandates Ending as of February 28

by Keith Kent, Winchendon Courier Correspondent
In a joint statement by Jeffrey C. Riley, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), accompanied by Massachusetts Governor Charles Baker, on Wednesday, February 9, it was announced that the Commonwealth-wide mask mandate for all Kindergarten through Grade 12 schools, and all licensed child care providers, will be lifted as of the end of this month, February 28.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), along with DESE, will continue with a recommendation that students and faculty wear masks in certain scenarios consistent with DESE's COVID protocol once the masking mandate is lifted. It was also stated during the announcement that the Department of Early Education and Care is set to release additional upcoming guidance for child care programs next week.

Riley explained during the announcement, "During the past two years, the impact of COVID-19 on children has caused a strain on their mental health, emotional well-being and academic success. We are relieved to now be in a place where we can provide young people additional relief from COVID-19 restrictions so they can continue to return to normalcy in the classroom."

As of February 9, the Mass DPH listed the 7 day Massachusetts COVID viral positivity testing average as 4.5 percent positivity, down sharply from as high as 30 percent just several weeks ago at the height of the Omicron variant surge. With a majority of Massachusetts towns and school districts having high vaccination rates, Baker and Riley explained they felt it was time to make the call at the state level, paving the way for a path moving forward away from mandatory masking for children and students in schools.

As of February 9, Mass DPH in its most recently updated report listed 5,232,233 out of 6.9 million residents fully vaccinated, or nearly 76 percent of the state's total population. The vaccination rate, which had stalled at around 71 percent, received a boost when children and teenagers were cleared by the CDC to receive vaccinations.

Governor Baker added, "With Massachusetts a national leader in vaccinating kids, combined with our robust testing programs, it is time to lift the mask mandate in schools and give students and staff a sense of normalcy after dealing with enormous challenges over the past two years. We have all the tools to keep schools safe as we move into dealing with the next phase of managing COVID."

Both the Governor and Commissioner, when asked about decision making at the local municipal levels, confirmed that individual School Districts and Local Boards of Health (LBOH) have the authority to do what they they feel is right for each municipality on a case by case basis.

Now that the statewide masking requirement will be lifted on February 28, school districts will no longer be required to request a waiver from DESE allowing their schools and districts to remove masks in school buildings. The former minimum requirement for a waiver to remove masks was set at 80 percent of all students and staff members being fully vaccinated.

Among other states in or near the Northeast Region, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Deleware have already done away with school masking mandates, as better testing, treatment options, and both clinical and scientific understanding of the virus have been achieved over the last two years, and the nation is now entering the third year of the pandemic. A statement by Massachusetts Secretary of Education, James Peyser, he said, "We are moving from mask requirement to mask optional, and we want school districts to move along with the state by making it optional, while still creating supportive environments for students and staff who choose to wear a mask."

Public school bus masking mandates currently remain in place, as they are federally mandated at this time. It was also stated during the press announcement that the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) is not regulated by DESE, so until the MIAA announces changes, masking in high school sports will still be mandated.

Locally, at the time of the announcement, the Winchendon Public Schools student vaccination rates were still lower than the Commonwealth average. In a Thursday, February 3, DPH report, WPS District children and students ages 5 to 11 were listed as 15 percent fully vaccinated and 23 percent partially vaccinated. Ages 12 to 15 were listed as 39 percent fully vaccinated and 43 percent partially vaccinated. Ages 16 to 19 were listed as 44 percent fully vaccinated and 51 percent partially vaccinated. Medical science has proven that young children and teenagers are far less likely to become extremely ill or require critical care as a result of contracting the COVID-19 Virus or any of its variants to date.

The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced this week that nationwide, COVID infections dropped by 44 percent last week from the previous week, and hospitalizations dropped by 25 percent.

University of New Hampshire's Dean's List for the Fall 2021 Semester

DURHAM, NH (02/04/2022)-- The following Winchendon students have been named to the Dean's List at the University of New Hampshire for the fall 2021 semester.

Cassidy Stadtfeld of Winchendon, MA (Highest Honors)

Students named to the Dean's List at the University of New Hampshire are students who have earned recognition through their superior scholastic performance during a semester enrolled in a full-time course load (12 or more graded credits). Highest honors are awarded to students who earn a semester grade point average of 3.85 or better out of a possible 4.0. Students with a 3.65 to 3.84 average are awarded high honors and students whose grade point average is 3.5 through 3.64 are awarded honors.

The University of New Hampshire inspires innovation and transforms lives in our state, nation and world. More than 16,000 students from all 50 states and 71 countries engage with an award-winning faculty in top-ranked programs in business, engineering, law, health and human services, liberal arts and the sciences across more than 200 programs of study. A Carnegie Classification R1 institution, UNH partners with NASA, NOAA, NSF and NIH, and received $260 million in competitive external funding in FY21 to further explore and define the frontiers of land, sea and space.

Western New England University Students Named to Fall Semester 2021 Dean's List

SPRINGFIELD, MA (02/09/2022)-- Western New England University recently named close to 700 students to the Fall Semester 2021 Dean's List. Students are named to the Dean's List for achieving a semester grade point average of 3.30 or higher.

Ashley Signa of Winchendon, MA is working toward a BS in Forensic Chemistry.

Elaina Buckler of Winchendon, MA is working toward a BA in History.

Western New England University (WNE) is a private, nationally ranked, comprehensive institution with a focus on preparing work-ready and world-ready graduates. Founded in 1919 in Springfield, Massachusetts as a division of Northeastern College, WNE's 215-acre suburban campus serves more than 3,700 students, including over 2,500 full-time undergraduates. More than 47,000 alumni have earned degrees through its 90+ undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs at Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and School of Law. Students come from 39 U.S. states and territories and 23 countries. Of 45,104 living alumni, 30% remain within the region, residing in the four Western Massachusetts counties and northern Connecticut.

WNE is classified among nationally ranked universities in US News and World Report, and among the Top 100 Undergraduate Engineering programs, and in the Doctoral/Professional Universities category in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

HPU Honors Students for Academic Success in the Fall Semester

BROWNWOOD - February 9, 2022 - Howard Payne University recognized 239 students for academic success during the fall 2021 semester. Students must earn a 4.0 grade point average to be named to the President’s list, a 3.65-3.99 grade point average to be named to the Dean’s List and a 3.5-3.64 grade point average to be named to the Honor Roll. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in 12 or more semester credit hours and have no grade of Fail (F), No Grade (NG) or Incomplete Grade (I) for all courses attempted.

Winchendon, Massachusetts
William Iannacone, Honor Roll

Monty Tech Superintendent Search Narrows to Two Finalists

FITCHBURG - In September 2022, Sheila M. Harrity, Superintendent-Director of Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School District, will retire from a long and distinguished career in educational leadership. Efforts to find her successor began in August 2021, and are now entering the final phases. Two Massachusetts educators have been named finalists for this coveted and important role--Monty Tech's current School Principal, Thomas R. Browne and Tony McIntosh, Director of Career and Technical Education at Keefe Regional Technical School in Framingham.

A five-member Search Committee reviewed application packages from nine interested parties. The Committee agreed that three applicants seemed to possess the leadership skills, experience, and networking ability to move the District forward, and called upon those candidates to submit writing samples and sit for an initial interview. Materials and testimonials submitted by Mr. Browne and Mr. McIntosh impressed the Committee, and as a result, the Search Committee decided to proceed with just these two candidates.

"We have been fortunate to have had the leadership we've had for the past eight years. It will be so important for the next Superintendent to continue to build upon the foundation Dr. Harrity has so skillfully laid," said Search Committee Chair Brian Walker, of Fitchburg. "We are looking for vision, rapport with faculty and staff, and a deep understanding of the value a vocational high school experience brings to the region."

Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School serves approximately 1,435 students, residing in eighteen cities and towns across North Central Massachusetts. The school boasts a diverse student population, mirroring that of the region. "It is important that our student body reflects our district. School leaders work continuously to engage seventh and eighth grade students, educating them on the benefits of a Monty Tech experience, and providing "mini vocational experiences" like VIP or summer camp programs to introduce vocational options to students at all levels," said Eric Olson, Monty Tech School Committee Chair. "It will be imperative that our next leader understands the regional dynamics, can articulate a passion for vocational learning, and can build relationships with area business and school leaders to improve the educational experience for all students."

Finalists Thomas Browne and Tony McIntosh have been invited to tour the campus, visit with faculty, staff and students to answer questions, and share their vision for Monty Tech's future. The Search Committee is confident that a candidate will be selected and announced in March 2022, which will allow Dr. Harrity ample time to mentor and support the newly selected school leader.

With an annual budget of approximately $28M, a full-time staff of 220, and a 55-acre campus housing several instructional facilities, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School District is an innovative school, guided by workforce needs and student interest. School leaders work tirelessly to acquire grant funding to improve programs annually, and to renovate instructional space, so that students work and learn in facilities that replicate industry standards. "Monty Tech is a premier high school. It is our job to ensure that the creative vision realized under Dr. Harrity continues, and we are confident that our finalists possess the talents necessary to take the school and district to new levels," confirmed Walker.