Masks Optional For Montclair Schools After 'Dramatic' COVID Drop

MONTCLAIR, NJ -- The Montclair Public School District announced Tuesday it will be making face masks optional beginning on March 7.

Superintendent Jonathan Ponds released the following statement about the decision:

"Effective March 7, masks will be optional for all students, staff, and visitors (preK-12) in all indoor and outdoor school settings, as well as on school buses. I want to thank the MEA, Montclair Principals’ Association, families, and students for providing input and sharing their thoughts. This decision was made based on guidance from the CDC, New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), and our Montclair Health Department. We are encouraged by the dramatic decrease in cases as well as our region being reported as 'low transmission and risk' according to the weekly Current Activity Level Indicator (CALI) from the NJDOH."

"Optional masking will remain in place and would be subject to change if the case rate and risk level were to rise to the high or highest levels according to guidance from the CDC and NJDOH," Ponds said. "We will review COVID-19 activity levels weekly. If a change is indicated, families and staff will be notified accordingly."

"I thank you in advance for coming together as a community to respect the choice of all individuals with understanding and empathy," the superintendent concluded. "As a district, we will continue to monitor our transmission within the schools, and we will keep you informed should anything change."

• See related article: NJ Moves Essex County To 'Low' COVID Activity Level

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