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COVID Update: 02.26.2022

Updated: 02.26.2022

Dear Parents, Staff, and Students of the Enfield Public Schools,

I apologize for the repetitive messages, but as predicted, about thirty minutes after I sent yesterday’s message the CDC changed their guidance on masks for public and private school busses. So effective February 28th, masks on all busses will now be optional for students, just as they are for schools. I wish I had this information prior to sending last night’s letter, but I can’t control when the state provides us with updates. I’m sure this won’t be the last surprise, but I will keep you informed as I hear of changes.

Thank you - and stay well, 

Christopher J. Drezek

Superintendent of Schools





Dear Parents, Staff, and Students of the Enfield Public Schools,

As we prepare for masks to be recommended, not required, in our schools, I’d like to share a few updates regarding the guidance we have received from the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Under what the DPH considers “routine strategies for COVID-19 prevention,” the Enfield Public Schools will be implementing the following recommendations from the DPH: 

  • COVID-19 vaccination for all eligible students and staff, including booster vaccine doses, when appropriate. 
  • Supporting students and staff who choose to continue wearing a mask, even when school policies do not require their use. Additionally, if parents wish for their child to continue wearing a mask, we ask that parents ensure their child is aware of this wish. We can no longer ask teachers and staff to monitor which student is to wear a mask daily, as the number of students would be impossible for staff to correctly enforce. (I feel like I need to add a reminder to this recommendation. The wearing of a mask is now a personal choice, and we will not tolerate any mask/anti-mask shaming of anyone for any reason. Although these terms are new, the treatment of others with respect is not, and the district will not permit anyone to feel uncomfortable because of their choice to wear or not wear a mask in our schools.)  
  • Follow isolation guidelines for students and staff who have symptoms associated with, or have tested positive for, COVID-19. Please remember, any cold-like respiratory symptoms should be treated like COVID-19. 
  • Recommending COVID-19 transmission prevention strategies, including testing (self-testing and/or at a provider site) and masking for students and staff following illness or exposure to COVID-19 cases. Please understand this means, per the DPH, that if a student or staff member is eligible to return after a shortened isolation period after having tested positive or after an exposure, they must wear a well-fitted mask for an additional five days. Self-tests will be made available to exposed students and staff while supplies last. 
  • Continuing to advise parents to report all cases of COVID-19 to the school. Subsequently, schools continuing to report identified cases to the local health department and the Connecticut Department of Public Health. 
  • Per federal law, masks are required to be worn on all school busses, both for regular school activities and all extracurricular activities. 
  • The district will no longer be conducting contact tracing. 
  • Masks will still be required to be worn in all our nurses’ offices. 

In the event there is a surge or an outbreak in the Enfield community or the Enfield Public Schools, we will follow the DPH’s recommendations as follows: 

  • Implementing a local, universal masking policy for students and staff on a temporary basis. Implementation of masking can be done at the classroom, grade, or school level depending on the extent of transmission and structure of the school. 
  • Limiting outside visitors to the school to those who are necessary for instructional or student support purposes. 

As some of you may have read, there were more recommendations that the DPH made available to local districts; however, I felt that some of them contradicted the ability to remove the mask mandate. I believe the ones outlined above are the correct mix of limiting transmission, while at the same time allowing our students to remove masks if parents are interested. As I’ve said, these guidelines are ever changing and could be altered with short notice. I truly hope we have turned a corner, but I would not want anyone surprised if conditions worsened and we were forced to make some adjustments. As always, if I receive additional information, I will send it along as soon as possible. One last reminder—if your child is sick, please keep them home. We all have to do our part to keep our schools open. 

Thank you - and stay well, 

Christopher J. Drezek 

Superintendent of Schools