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Policies

 

Purpose

To comply with the Pennsylvania Department of Health Order of July 1, 2020 requiring face covering and consistent to the District’s Health and Safety Plan submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. [1][2] This policy shall enforce face covering requirements so long as the Order and Health and Safety Plan are being implemented and as may be subsequently modified by the Department of Health or Board of School Directors. 

 

 

Definitions

Face covering means a covering of the nose and mouth that is secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears or is wrapped around the lower face. A face covering can be made of a variety of synthetic or natural fabrics, including cotton, silk, or linen. For purposes of this policy, a face covering does not include a plastic face shield that covers the nose and mouth. Face coverings may be factory-made, sewn by hand, or be improvised from household items, including but not limited to, scarfs, bandanas, t-shirts, sweatshirts or towels.  While procedural and surgical masks intended for healthcare providers and first responders meet these requirements, such as N95 respirators, these specialized masks should be reserved for appropriate occupational and health care settings.

 

 

Authority  

All staff and students shall comply with the Pennsylvania Department of Health Order of July 1, 2020 requiring universal face covering.

Except as provided, staff and students are required to wear face covering if they are:

  1. Outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet from individuals who are not members of their household;

  2. In any indoor location where members of the public are generally permitted;

  3. Waiting for, riding on, and driving or operating public transportation or paratransit or while in a taxi, private car service, bus or van.

 

Exceptions to the face covering requirements are as follows:

  1. Individuals who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition, including those with respiratory issues that impede breathing, mental health condition, or disability;

  2. Individuals for whom wearing a mask while engaging in educational activity would create an unsafe condition in which to operate equipment or execute a task as determined by an instructor, local, state or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines;

  3. Individuals who would be unable to remove a mask without assistance;

  4. Individuals who are under two years of age;

  5. Individuals who are communicating or seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired or has another disability, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.  In this case, a face shield would be acceptable.

Students who claim an exception may be referred for assessment to determine if they are a child with a disability entitled to services and protections due to a disabling condition. 

 

This policy shall be implemented consistent with school policies regarding student expression.  Intentional or repeated violations of this policy may be categorized as a Level III or Level IV infraction in accordance with the school discipline code.

 

 

Delegation of Authority

The Board of School Directors directs the Superintendent or designee to implement rules and procedures in each building to ensure compliance with this masking requirement. 




 

[1]    Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Requiring Universal Face Coverings dated July 1, 2020. 

[2]    North Penn Health and Safety Plan, (date of board approval). 

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