ROCHESTER — Masks are no longer mandated on buses in the Old Rochester Regional school district, Superintendent of Schools Michael S. Nelson told members of the Rochester School Committee at their March 3 meeting.

The change followed a decision by the Joint School Committee to make mask wearing optional in school buildings as of Feb. 28, following guidance by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The next day, March 1, the state Department of Public Health published an updated advisory that no longer requires students to wear masks on buses traveling to and from school. 

The school community will “support everyone to make their own decision,’’ Nelson said.

Nelson thanked the students “for their resilience as they’ve dealt with so many changes.’’

They “don’t miss a beat.’’

Rochester Memorial School Principal Derek Medeiros said the change in mask policy went smoothly.

“The kids are just really excited to be at school, as they always are,’’ he said.