On Thursday morning, Feb. 17, officials emailed Hampden Meadows School parents seeking volunteers to help students with reading and math support. 

To qualify, parents must have an approved background check and share proof of vaccination. 

That point surfaced during the school committee meeting on Thursday night. Barrington resident Kiera Daley, whose children attend local schools, asked committee members if parents needed to show a vaccine card to get into the schools to volunteer. Barrington School Committee Chairwoman Gina Bae eventually answered the question, stating that those who wish to volunteer in the schools need to show proof of vaccination.

Ms. Daley then asked Ms. Bae if it was true that while those without vaccine cards cannot volunteer, they are still welcome to attend school events, such as sporting events and performances. 

Ms. Bae said that was true. 

Volunteers are not the only people who must be vaccinated in Barrington schools. The Barrington School Committee has a policy mandating that all teachers be vaccinated and boosted.

However, at the committee meeting on Feb. 17, committee members officially approved (by a 5-0 vote) an agreement with the local teachers union (National Education Association Barrington) that provides an alternative to teachers who do not want to get the booster shot. 

The approved agreement means teachers who choose to not receive the booster shot will not be fired if they adhere to the following rules:

1. They must wear an N-95 mask at all times while they are inside any school building, and teachers must purchase and provide their own masks.

2. They must submit to twice-a-week testing on a set schedule — they can test either Sundays and Tuesdays, or Mondays and Wednesdays. One of the tests each week may be done at the school, while the other is to be done at a state-run site. However, if there are more than four school employees without booster shots working at a single school, then they all must take their tests at a state-run site. “If such a time occurs when tests are no longer available at no cost to the BPS, all tests will occur at an official site at the expense of the member…”

3. They must secure a “protected location” when they need to unmask to eat.

4. They must remain at least six feet from others when drinking for short periods of time.

5. They must complete a daily attestation form.