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Vol. 47 | No. 44 | October 29, 2021
Shrewsbury schools adopt mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy for staff By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter
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By Ed Karvoski Jr. Contributing Writer SOUTHBOROUGH - Trick-or-treaters got a head start celebrating Halloween on Oct. 23 by participating in Southborough Firefighters Association’s longtime tradition followed by new Southborough Recreation events. After last year’s hiatus due to pandemic restrictions, the firefighters’ Halloween Parade returned and drew lots of costumed kids along with their grownups. They marched from Woodward School to the Southborough Public Safety Building. At the fire station, costumes were judged in two age categories with trophies awarded for cutest, scariest and most original. Serving as judges and helping with other responsibilities were members of Girl Scout troops 62477, 65266 and 75014. While some parade participants got trophies, everyone could get pastries, juice drinks and other treats. Following the parade, Southborough Recreation offered a Trunk or Treat as a first-time event at the Woodward School parking lot. A number of town agencies, nonprofits and businesses distributed goodies from the trunks of decorated vehicles. Food trucks were also stationed onsite. Starting at dusk, the celebration culminated with an outdoor screening of the film “Monsters, Inc.” For more photos, visit communityadvocate.com.
Marching in the Halloween Parade, 8-year-old friends Amelia Eaton and Cam Warden channel characters from the film and musical “Beetlejuice” while costumed as Lydia Deetz and Beetlejuice respectively.
PHOTOS/ED KARVOSKI JR
SHREWSBURY - Shrewsbury school employees will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination by Dec. 1 following a vote by the School Committee on Oct. 20. “Whatever levers that we have to pull to make our buildings safe, I think we’ve been trying diligently for the past 18 months to pull them. This is one that I think we now have in front of us,” said School Committee member Lynsey Heffernan during the committee’s Oct. 20 meeting. Other districts, employers, and the state have enacted similar mandates, she noted. “I agree with personal choice, and…if they want to choose whether or not to have a vaccination, that is their personal choice,” said Vice Chair Sandra Fryc. Fryc noted the district’s goal is to keep the schools open and students safe. Last year when the district worked with staff and union groups to reopen the schools, Fryc said they repeatedly emphasized health and safety. “This is the main tool that we will have to do that,” Fryc said. The policy will remain in place for five years or until it is rescinded by the board. The committee had voiced their support for such a policy during their Oct. 6 meeting.
Southborough gets a head start on celebrating Halloween
Costumed as sharks, the Kendall family – (l to r) Nekelle, Camryn, 18 months, and Nate – walked in the Halloween Parade.
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