Jackson Township Schools to go mask optional on March 7th, masks still required on school buses

Phil Stilton

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Jackson Township School District has announced that starting on March 7th, the district will being a facemask optional policy for all students and staff.

The decision comes after New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced he will let his universal school mask mandate executive order expire on that date.

The Jackson School District cited Governor Murphy’s announcement that the order requiring masks to be worn in school would expire on March 7, 2022. During the announcement, he cited the significant decline in cases, transmission rates, and hospitalizations, and an increase in vaccination rates, as well as predictive indicators of a downward trend for our state.

“We are pleased to share that in our district there has been a steady decrease in the number of positive COVID cases since the week of January 10, 2022 and a significant decrease in cases over the past two weeks (this is reflected on the COVID-19 Dashboard),” the district said in an email to families. “In light of these conditions and with the expiration of this mandate, beginning March 7, 2022 wearing a mask IN SCHOOL will be OPTIONAL for all students and staff. Until the mandate is lifted on March 7, the current school mask requirement will remain unchanged.  We kindly ask that our entire community be sensitive and respectful to everyone’s individual choice to wear a mask or to opt not to wear one.”


Related: Federal law dictates students must continue to mask up on school busses, even after NJ school mask mandate expires

Face masks must still be worn on school buses, due to a federal mandate from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“If and when this federal requirement is lifted, the district will not require masks to be worn on school buses. Any student or staff member who has tested positive for COVID must wear a mask in school for days 6-10 following the onset of their symptoms,” the district said. “This is in accordance with CDC guidance for positive individuals.”

The district said more guidance is coming from the Governor’s office in the coming weeks.

“All New Jersey school districts have been advised that we will receive additional guidance from the NJ Department of Health regarding the mask mandate and other prevention strategies,” the district added.

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