Mask Mandate Reinstated For The Week At South Brunswick High School

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Masks will be required at South Brunswick High School the whole week beginning Monday, to mitigate the effects of a recent spike in COVID-19 cases. The reinstated mask mandate is only a temporary move.

After over 150 students reported confirmed COVID-19 positive cases or coronavirus symptoms on Thursday, district officials began putting together mitigation efforts. These include early release days on March 31 and April 1 and mask mandates.

"We do not expect that further alteration to the schedule will be needed next week," Superintendent Scott Feder said in a letter to the school community. District officials will reevaluate the need for masks after the week is over.

"The most important thing for parents and students to do is to test and stay home whether you test positive or have symptoms," Feder said. "This will help keep our schools open and safe."

Since Gov. Phil Murphy decided to lift mask mandates across NJ schools in early March, district officials have worked hard to keep students in classrooms. One of the biggest concerns for officials at South Brunswick schools has been learning loss during the pandemic.

When Feder announced the district was going mask optional, he made clear that masking rules will look different in schools, depending on a COVID-19 outbreak.

"In the event of an outbreak, it is still possible that we will have to reinstate masks for either a class, or it could be a whole school, it could be the whole district. Those things are possible," Feder had said back in February.

With the current spike in cases, district officials are working with Middlesex County Health Department on mitigation strategies.

"While we can not predict everything, we can make decisions that balance student learning with health and safety," Feder said Thursday night. "Testing can play a big part in keeping things moving forward and we do have the tests to support this. Rapid tests can be obtained by students in grade level offices should they need one."

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