But some parents, especially in larger, more crowded school districts like Worcester, have mixed feelings on the changes. It s kind of a little worrying, but at the same time, it s good for all the kids that were stuck home all year like my son, said Worcester parent Cindy Rodriguez. Elementary kids, I feel like they should still have masks on, because they can t get vaccinated yet and they re still young, they can still spread it to the elderly, added Kassee Cesaitis, another parent from Worcester.
DESE said conversations about whether elementary school students should wear masks will continue with the Department of Public Health. But as of right now, the plan is to lift masking requirements for middle and high school students in the fall.