Milton Schools To Require Students To Wear Surgical Masks

MILTON, MA — Students and teachers in Milton Public Schools will be required to wear 3-ply surgical masks — not generic cloth masks that can be made or are now readily available in most stores — if they return to school for an in-classroom work to start the school year.

In a Q&A session on social media, Milton Public Schools that all students in grades pre-kindergarten through grade 12 will be required to wear masks at all times with the exception of "mask breaks" during recess and at points of the day when students can socially distance.

Milton Public Schools said those standards are more strict than the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines. Officials said exceptions will be made for those who cannot wear masks due to medical conditions, disabilities and other health and safety factors.

Milton Public Schools said it will make a final mask policy decision on Aug. 20.

The Milton School Committee will meet Thursday night to determine whether the town intends to pursue a full in-classroom, full remote or a hybrid model that includes a hybrid/remote choice model.

Students and teachers will be allowed to wear face shields as well, and that students who cannot wear masks to wear shields as a substitute.

The responses said that students on "mask breaks" will be kept in small groups and will be closely monitored to help ensure social distancing.