• Massachusetts PTA conducts survey on mask mandate in schools
• Children, Families and Educators need our support more than ever
• Massachusetts PTA advocates for all children, families and educators

[Lexington, MA, February 27, 2022] – During this time of uncertainty for many it is imperative that our children, families, teachers and educators know that we value them and that the Massachusetts Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is working diligently to ensure their voices are heard.

On February 9, 2022 Governor Charlie Baker with Commissioner Jeffrey Riley, announced the lifting of a statewide school mask mandate. The Massachusetts PTA, as advocates for parents and educators, surveyed their members and the greater Massachusetts community to gage what the community was feeling about the lifting of the mandate. Within the week, the MA PTA survey received 6,914 responses (88% indicated they are parents/guardians, 7.8% teachers, and 5.5% also healthcare workers) with a clear majority, 87%, indicating in favor of optional masking in K-12 public schools and removing the current mask mandate. Additionally, 11.8% of respondents were not in favor of lifting the mandate.

It is the position of the Massachusetts PTA and National PTA that the health safety and welfare of our children, families, educators and communities are of the utmost importance. We recommend that all communities continue to heed the recommendations of the CDC as the foremost authority on disease in the United States.

Finally, as we work with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, our parents and our communities we strongly urge everyone to be sensitive to others personal decisions. MA PTA believes each parent needs to decide what is comfortable for their child and no child, parent, or teacher should be made to feel uncomfortable or maligned in any way if they decide to stay masked or unmasked as long as they are following the guidelines.

The Massachusetts Parent Teacher Association has for 112 years advocated for children and families and our mission remains as important today as it did when we were founded: to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.