FALL RIVER – To assist with Providence Public Schools’ pandemic response, Fall River-based manufacturer Matouk will donate 50,000 adult and children’s reusable cloth face masks for the reopening of schools this fall, according to a press release.
CEO George Matouk and Creative Director Mindy Matouk explained the motivation behind their donation as follows: “We have lived in Providence for 20 years and feel a deep sense of gratitude to the educational professionals who have remained committed to educating our leaders of tomorrow under what are sometimes very difficult circumstances.”
After moving to distance learning this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Providence Public School District is currently making plans to reopen school buildings for classes this fall. Those plans include protocols for wearing face masks in a number of situations.
Following CDC and health guidance, the latest version of the district’s reopening plan requires that all students and staff wear masks during school arrival and dismissal, when riding school buses and when in common areas where a minimum of six feet of separation cannot be guaranteed. Masks are recommended but not required in common spaces where six feet of distance can be maintained and in classrooms of “stable groups” made up of the same individuals over time.
Superintendent of Providence Public Schools Harrison Peters said, “The job of educating our students is the collective reasonability of the school district and the community. We are grateful for the Matouk family for stepping into this responsibility and supporting education when we need support the most. The safety of our students and staff is our top concern, and the Matouks’ generous donation will provide our community with an important layer of protection as we reopen schools.”
Peters added that while students will be expected to wear their own masks to school every day, the Matouk donation will allow the district to issue each student a free reusable mask at the start of the school year.
The two-ply masks are 100% cotton, safe for machine washing and drying, and come in three sizes. Each mask has a nose wire and elastics for around the ears and is personalized with the Providence Public School District logo. Constructed by Matouk production partners in the Philippines, the masks use 350-thread count Sierra sheeting fabric and are OEKO-TEK Standard 100 certified.
