Hanover High School Mask Break Update 10/12/21

Thank you for your ongoing support and patience as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to provide you with some additional information about mask breaks at Hanover High School. Any student who requests a mask break during the day is provided the opportunity to do so at any time. Mask breaks are taken outdoors whenever possible. As the weather changes, we are increasingly adding indoor mask breaks.

When outdoor mask breaks are not feasible, or our students need an additional mask break, they are taken inside with as much social distancing as possible, and windows open. Over the past week, indoor mask break announcements were made by the administration to ensure our students and staff are comfortable and familiar with these routines. We will continue to have mask breaks embedded in the daily schedule for consistency. Please be assured that students may remove their masks at any time to drink water at their desks.

We understand that mask breaks are a very important part of the daily routine. Please know that we are working to improve our protocols and options for these breaks as we use our data - and experiences to date - to increase these opportunities in a safe, consistent, and organized manner.

What do mask breaks look like throughout the day at Hanover High School?

There are many natural breaks that occur throughout the day and students are encouraged to take a mask break when needed.

PE Classes

• Outdoor PE - no masks are needed.
• Indoor PE - masks are needed and students are able to step out to the entry outside the gym doors and take a mask break at any time.

Lunch

• Students are seated in small groups and distanced as much as possible.
• Masks are removed as soon as students are seated and remain off during the lunch period.

Classrooms and throughout the day

• Periods 3 and 6 are scheduled to be 5 minutes longer for the purpose of mask breaks.
• Mask breaks will continue to take place outdoors whenever possible.
• When outdoor mask breaks are not feasible due to inclement weather, mask breaks will take place in the classrooms or inside of the building.
• Window(s) open when possible, generally 5-10 minutes or less, and typically when students are seated and working independently or in one of the breakout spaces outside of the classroom where students can distance 3 to 6 feet from others.
• Students may remove their masks at any time without asking to drink water at their desks.

Bus

• Masks are required at all times while riding the bus to and from school.
• Windows open.

Our goal is to get students and staff outside for some part of every day. We ask for your support by sending your child to school dressed for the weather and with the appropriate footwear for walking around the HHS campus.

Best,

Matthew Mattos
Principal