First Mask-Free Day 'A Big Change' In Beverly Public Schools

BEVERLY, MA —The masks came off for many students and teachers in Beverly Public Schools on Monday as the statewide order requiring them expired.

The end of the statewide order left the decision to make masks mandatory in school buildings optional for local districts for the first time in two years. The Beverly School Committee last month backed Superintendent Sue Charochak's decision to make them optional in city schools.

"We understand that the shift to mask optional is a big change for many students," Charochak said in a message to the school community upon the return from February vacation. "To help support this shift as we return to school, our staff and administrators will support all students and adults with the decision to remain masked or the choice not to mask.

"We recognize that the decision will occur for individual students and families at a different pace and for different reasons."

Masks were to still be required on school transportation as part of a federal mandate, but that was rescinded Friday as well. Charochak said Beverly students will have the option of masking on buses as well as in the classrooms.

Masks are still required in all school health offices.

Charochak said the schools will continue to have masks for those who "chose to avail themselves of them" at the entrances of each school and on each bus.

She added that the schools will also continue to distribute free at-home rapid tests every two weeks as part of the state testing program. The state has said that the testing program will continue until at least April vacation.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)