School Mask Requirement Extended to Feb. 28

04:44PM / Monday, January 10, 2022Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The requirement for face coverings in public schools has been extended through Feb. 28.

The requirement for masking had initially been approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education last August to expire on Oct. 1; that was extended to Nov. 1 and then again to Jan. 15.

DESE Commissioner Jeffrey Riley on Monday alerted school districts that that masking would continue to at least Feb. 28 and possibly beyond that, pending changes in pandemic guidelines.

"The mask requirement remains an important measure to keep students safe in school at this time," the extension announcement stated.

Schools that meet the 80 percent vaccination threshold may discontinue masking for those who are vaccinated. Those unvaccinated must continue wearing face coverings.

Only a few schools have reached that benchmark and some have continued to require universal masking rather than police the unvaccinated.

About 75 percent of the population is vaccinated and about 75 percent of those eligible for the vaccine in Berkshire County have been inoculated. The highest rates of vaccination appear to be among staff and faculty but student inoculations have been lagging.

But the Boston Globe found that broad disparities in vaccination rates for children ages 5 to 11, who were eligible for the vaccine in October. Some of the lowest vaccination rates are in poorer communities and the higher rates in more affluent areas.

In the Berkshires, Williamstown reported the highest rate of vaccination in that age group at 83.5 percent. But only 9.8 percent of the town of Florida's 51 children were inoculated and 24 percent of Egremont's.

Pittsfield had a rate of 44.3 percent and North Adams (and Clarksburg) 48.5 percent. Great Barrington and West Stockbridge were both more than 70 percent but Adams about 37 percent.

Boston's rate was about 36 percent compared with surrounding towns like Newton (88.7 percent), Weston (92.5 percent), Arlington (102.5 percent), and Needham (97.3 percent).

Tags: COVID-19, masks,

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North Adams Student Struck by Bicyclist at Bus Stop

Staff Reports04:19PM / Friday, September 25, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A North Adams Public Schools student was sent to the hospital with minor injuries after being hit by a bicyclist at a bus stop.

According to police, the incident happened around 8:14 Friday morning near the intersection of Hudson Street and Eagle Street.

An adult was riding a bicycle southbound on Eagle Street down a steep decline. The bicycle's brakes were not working, and the rider was unable to stop.

A group of children was waiting for the school bus at the intersection when the bicyclist struck one of the students.

First responders were on scene, and other adults present at the bus stop also intervened.

The child sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital, where he was treated and released later that morning.

The bicyclist was charged with operating a bicycle to endanger. Police confirmed the bicycle was not an e-bike.

The school district sent families an email stating that students riding the Brayton B2 bus and the Colgrove C2 bus witnessed the accident. Staff checked in with each student witness, and school adjustment counselors provided support for students throughout the day.

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