Stoneham Public Schools Covid-19 Center

With COVID-19 vaccines now readily available, treatments accessible to those at higher risk for severe disease, and widespread availability of self-tests, DESE and DPH have continued to evolve their guidelines and procedures for schools in collaboration with the medical community and in line with the most recent CDC guidance issued August 11, 2022. This upcoming school year, districts and schools will focus COVID mitigation strategies towards vulnerable and symptomatic individuals.

The Commonwealth is not recommending universal mask requirements, surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals, contact tracing, or test-to-stay testing in schools. There is no longer any statewide masking mandate in schools (other than school health offices) and there is no testing requirement for schools. The state concluded its statewide testing program in the spring.

Directive from DESE:
Isolation and Exposure Precautions

Effective August 15, 2022, all students and staff in childcare, school in grades K-12, or participating in out-of-school time (OST) and recreational camp settings should follow the updated isolation and exposure guidance issued by DPH, in alignment with recently issued guidance from CDC. No asymptomatic person should be excluded from school as a result of exposure, regardless of vaccination status or exposure setting.