While the information below comes from the Back to School Plan, our goal is to narrow this information down to information that our community needs at various stages, beginning with Remote Learning and eventually moving towards Hybrid / In-Person Learing Models.

Safe Reopening
In collaboration with the Department of Public Health, the Framingham Public Schools is working to develop a set of clear metrics to determine the safe reopening of schools for hybrid or in-person learning.  These metrics will be communicated with the School Committee and broader community when they are established, and will be evaluated at designated intervals to determine if schools can prepare to reopen according to the timeline below:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Masks/face coverings are the single most important risk management measure to contain the spread of COVID-19. Masks/face coverings will be required to be worn by all students and staff PK-12 with exceptions only for those students or staff for whom it is not safe to do so due to a medical condition or other considerations. Masks/face coverings can be disposable or reusable and will need to: fully cover the nose and mouth.  Gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas and face covering containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind will not be considered appropriate face coverings. Parents will be responsible for providing students with masks/face coverings. FPS will provide disposable masks for students who need them. Staff may choose to wear their own mask or one provided by the district. 

Personal Hygiene/Handwashing
All students and staff are expected to practice frequent handwashing. Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is a simple but effective precaution that can prevent virus transmission. Hand sanitizer units will be provided by the district in classrooms, building entrances, and other common areas. Hand sanitizer should be used when handwashing with soap and water is not possible. Regular opportunities for students to wash hands or hand sanitizer will be incorporated into the school day.

Wash hands immediately before:

• Leaving home
• Leaving the classroom
• Eating
• Touching shared objects
• Touching one’s face
• Playing on the playground
• Leaving school

Wash hands immediately after:

• Arriving at school
• Entering the classroom
• Finishing lunch
• Touching shared objects
• After contact with mask/face covering
• Using the bathroom
• Playing on the playground
• Coughing, sneezing, blowing one’s nose
• Arriving at home

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and other Mosquito-borne Diseases
When school activities are conducted outdoors during the mosquito season, preventive measures will be implemented to minimize the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, including EEE and West Nile Virus (WNV) infection. These may include curtailing outdoor activities from dusk to dawn, using appropriate insect repellents, and other preventive measures.  We will work closely with the Framingham Department of Public Health to implement these preventive measures.

Certification of Health and Safety Requirements
The Framingham Public Schools certifies that we are in compliance with all health and safety requirements as issued by DESE as of the time of this publication.

Influenza Vaccine Required for 2020-21 School Year
Per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, influenza vaccine will be required for all students. Influenza vaccine is always important to receive to reduce the risk of getting sick with influenza, reduce the severity of disease if one does get sick (including the risk of hospitalization) due to influenza, as well as preventing the spread of influenza to others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza vaccine will be especially critical to reduce the overall impact of respiratory illness on the population, protect vulnerable populations from severe illness, and decrease the overall burden on the healthcare system.

Additional Information on the new requirement from the Department of Public Health.