Masking Now Optional for Students, Faculty in Winthrop Schools

The Winthrop School Committee met on Monday, Feb. 28, announcing updated COVID protocols.

COVID

Students in the district are no longer required to wear masks. However, other safety precautions remain in place. Schools continue to enforce social distancing, frequent hand washing and stricter cleaning protocols. In the cafeteria, students sit separately to reduce spread.

“The mask mandate has been removed, but COVID hasn’t gone away,” said Supt. Lisa Howard.

The district will continue to monitor the situation and adjust its policies accordingly. Group seating in the classroom and cafeteria may be a possibility in the future.  

DEI Resource Page

The district’s updated Diversity, Equity & Inclusion resource webpage is now available on the WPS website.

The site was designed “for educators, school staff, parents, public officials, and members of the community who are seeking to improve their cultural competency, better understand the experiences of marginalized groups, and identify ways we can create a more inclusive environment and society for all Winthrop residents.”

As the Transcript reported in August, the page had been disabled to thoroughly vet the materials and be more all-encompassing. One can access the page by going to winthrop.k12.ma.us and clicking on the DEI Resources tab.

Upcoming Retirements

Several district staff have announced their retirements.

After 36 years as an educator, Rayna Aronson will retire as a Winthrop High School math teacher.

Bernadette Carsley is a sixth-grade science and ELA teacher who has worked with the district for over 30 years. She will retire on June 30.

Marie Finn is a physical education teacher at the Fort Banks Elementary School. She has been a teacher in the district for 42 years, and her final day will be March 4.

Michael Kirby, a sixth-grade teacher at the Winthrop Middle School, will retire on June 30 after 35 years of service.

Maura Sullivan will retire on June 30 from her position as an instructional technology teacher at the Fort Banks Elementary School. She first started teaching in the district 33 years ago.

General Updates

The district is currently in the process of building its budget. Administrators rebuild the budget entirely from scratch every year, based on past allocations and anticipated future needs.

Supt. Howard congratulated Winthrop athletes on an impressive season. She recognized individual students for their athletic accomplishments.