Norton schools tighter on masks

NORTON — All city students over the age of 5 now must wear a mask at all times while in at school, with the exception of meal times.

Schools Superintendent Gina Wohlford gave the school board an update Monday.

City schools are following Gov. Ralph Northam’s amended Executive Order 63. Previously, students under 10 were not required to wear a mask and masks were not required in classrooms where social distancing guidelines could be properly observed.

The order, amended one week ago, also limits indoor and outdoor gatherings to 25 people, down from 250, which affects attendance at sporting events.

Wohlford stated that school officials had very little issues with getting students to wear their masks for the duration of the school day. Wohlford said faculty should work to remind students that although minors cannot be charged for not complying with the order, they should still follow safety guidelines.

According to the Nov. 1 health report submitted by Norton Elementary and Middle School nurse Jennifer Hughes, there were, at that time, 15 students quarantined for firsthand exposure to COVID-19, but they had not been exposed in the school. The report also listed one student with a positive test.

The city schools website shows a total of eight positive COVID-19 cases within the school district as of the Nov. 13 update. However, a letter was sent out Nov. 17 informing parents and guardians of a positive diagnosis of a student or staff member at Burton High School.