By MADDY VITALE
Ocean City Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tom Baruffi put out a message this week ahead of the governor’s lifting of the mask mandate in schools statewide.
The letter went out to students, faculty and parents/guardians. In the message on Thursday, Dr. Baruffi outlined some of the latest guidelines from Gov. Phil Murphy.
Effective Monday, March 7, wearing face coverings will become optional for those in the schools and also for visitors. Masks will still be required on school buses.
“This change in practice is aligned with the governor’s announcement to remove the mask mandate, which was based on the recent decrease in the reported number of COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations throughout New Jersey,” Dr. Baruffi detailed in his letter. “Similarly, the number of positive cases in our own district has declined significantly.”
For nearly two years, the district has had to navigate the pandemic through not only virtual and hybrid learning models, but also through some of the difficulties and opposing views from parents and others in the community and district with regard to mask-wearing.
The topic has been a hot issue brought up primarily by parents at several Board of Education meetings. It was even part of a platform for two of Board of Education candidates in their unsuccessful bids to win seats on the board in the November election.
Board of Education member Jacqueline McAlister, who served for several years as vice president of the board until 2021, commented Sunday on how well overall students and families have handled the mask mandate.
“The students and families of our district have handled the pandemic with grace and understanding,” McAlister said. “We are so thankful for their flexibility, and we remain very proud of the students for continuing to achieve their goals despite the monumental challenges posed by COVID-19.”
She noted that as the governor’s mask mandate expires, “we can finally approach the wearing of masks as a decision best left to families.”
“Parents and students can weigh the benefits of masks for themselves, and we will continue to support our students in those decisions,” McAlister said. “If the governor issues another mandate related to public schools, we will include the community in the conversation and make the best decisions we can for our school community.”
Like McAlister, Dr. Baruffi emphasized that things continue to remain fluid and can change.
“Please understand, that the district reserves the right to require masks based on guidance from the (state) Department of Health and in response to a school-based outbreak or a significant rise in COVID-19 cases in our region, even if for a limited time period,” Dr. Baruffi said in his letter.
He also pointed out that there are specific rules that must be followed involving confirmed cases and “close contact.”
Students and staff members returning to school after five days of isolation due to having a confirmed case of COVID-19, or being in “close contact,” may still be required to wear a face covering for some period of time upon their return to school, he explained.
In closing his letter, he thanked the community.
“Through diligence and much resolve, we have been able to maintain in-person instruction while providing a safe learning environment, even during the height of the positive cases,” Dr. Baruffi said.
“The most important factor, however, has been the cooperation of students, parents and staff. This is a time to celebrate an important step forward in our quest to return to normalcy,” he said. “We thank you for your ongoing support and remain committed to providing the best education for the children of our district.”
To view Interim Schools Superintendent Dr. Tom Baruffi’s letter in its entirety visit: www.oceancityschools.org or visit the district on the Facebook page.
