Masks Required
Masks are required in school as of 9.7.2021
Order of Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health
Mask Requirement FAQ
A: The mask requirement begins on Tuesday, September 7th
Q: Everything the school district published before the school year said that masks were recommended, which I interpreted to be optional. Why did the school district change?
A: Specific to Covid-19 related items, the school district must follow the rules/laws/requirements/policies of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On August 31, an order was published by the Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which requires masks be worn in school buildings.
Q: Why would the school board require masks?
A: The decision to require masks was not made by the school board. In fact, the school board has little choice but to enforce the mandate. The decision was made by the Governor of Pennsylvania and the Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Q: It is only a few days before the requirement begins. Why are we just receiving this information now?
A: As we have all learned throughout the pandemic, information and guidelines are constantly changing as more is known about Covid-19 and its spread. In fact, the school district was only given the latest guidance at 4:15 PM on Friday, September 3, 2021
Q: I have done my homework, and have found other school districts in Pennsylvania that say they are not requiring masks, why is Burgettstown?
A: The Burgettstown Area School District is committed to the health and safety of all students. While the school district respects the opinions of all, it has an obligation to provide the safest learning environment for everyone. Additionally, the school district has an obligation to follow the rules, policies, regulations, laws, etc. of many governmental agencies.
Q: I believe the school district is just requiring masks because they want money from the government. Am I wrong?
A: Yes, you are wrong. While pandemic funds have been made available to the school district, in the instance of the mask mandate, requiring masks because of this specific order is not at all connected to this money.
Q: What if my child does not have a mask?
A: Fortunately, because students must wear masks on the school bus, we have found that most all students already have a mask. However, if they come to school and they do not have one, we will have one for them until they get their own.
Q: I heard there are exceptions to the mask mandate. Is that true, and if so, what are they?
A: Yes, the order, a copy of which can be found here, contains 8 different kinds of exceptions. Most are exceptions that will occur in some form or other as we operate our schools. For example, one is "When a child/student is participating in a sports practice or activity or event whether indoors or outdoors." So, for example, our volleyball players will not be expected to wear masks during practice or games.
Q: I read the mask mandate and am confused. Can you tell me which exceptions give me parent choice? After all, my child, my choice!
A: There are two relevant exceptions that are at least to some degree in the parent's/guardian's control: Within the order, Section 3, item B: "When wearing a face covering would either cause a medical condition, or exacerbate an existing one, including respiratory issues that impeded breathing, a mental health condition, or a disability." and Section 3, item E: "If an individual is communicating or seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired or has another disability, where the ability so see the mouth is essential for communication." This last one would primarily apply to a speech or hearing impaired person.
Q: What about sports? My son plays football. We are not going back to the way it was last year are we? That was ridiculous!
A: No, the rules are not quite the same as last year. An example of volleyball is given above.
Q: Good. But will I have to wear a mask to see my son play football?
A: No, the order is only for indoor settings. Now, if you are a parent of a volleyball player and you go to watch the game, you will need to wear a mask.
Q: So I can just send my child to school with a note and that's that, right?
A: Unfortunately, no. It is not enough for a parent/guardian to write a note. Because there are very specific areas where the mask mandate allows exceptions, we have a parent form that must be completed by the parent/guardian AND a physician form that must be completed by a physician.
Q: WHAT?!? How am I supposed to get these forms signed in time for Tuesday, September 7th?
A: We certainly understand your concern. Therefore, we have provided the parent form here and the physician form here, we have posted the forms to our webpage, and we will give your child a form in school if they ask.
Q: Ok, well, even if I can print the physician forms, I can't get my doctor to sign it by Tuesday, September 7th. Now what?
A: Again, we understand. Therefore, we will offer a five day grace period for you to return the physician statement. If you send your child to school with the signed parent form, you will have five school days to return the physician form.
Q: What happens if I do not return the physician form?
A: If, after five school days, your child does not return the physician form, your child will be required to wear a mask until the physician form is returned.
Q: I don't have a printer! How can I be expected to sign a parent form I do not have?
A: We understand. In that case, when you send your child to school, they will need to wear a mask. We will give your child the parent form, and he/she can take it home for you to sign. We will also give them a copy of the physician form that will need to be signed within 5 days.
Q: I printed and signed the parent form. Now what?
A: Please give the form to your son/daughter to take to school. If they are in the elementary center, they should give the form to their homeroom teacher. If they are in the high school, they should turn the form in to the main office when they arrive at school on Tuesday. Remember, your child will also need to submit the physician form within five school days.
Q: The mask mandate is not a law! I will not send my child to school with a mask. I will also not sign a parent exemption form and spend money to have my physician sign a piece of paper. You can't do anything to my child, right?
A: The mask mandate carries with it the power of law. That is, all persons are warned that anyone violating this order and not wearing a face covering while in a school building will be subject to prosecution as a defiant trespasser under section 3501 of the crimes code.
Q: WHAT! Now you are telling me you are going to file charges against my child?
A: We are saying is that the law enables us to file charges. That will not be our first choice. We don't want to have to file any charges. Therefore, your child will be given an opportunity to wear a mask at all times or until a valid exception is provided.
Q: You can't take school discipline against my child for not wearing a mask, so what will happen when he refuses?
A: If your child refuses, they will be given three choices: 1) Wear the mask 2) Provide a written exception parent form and physician form or 3) face school discipline for insubordination/defiance in accordance with school board policy 218.
Q: You can't be serious! You will give my child a detention or worse yet an out of school suspension for refusing to wear a mask?
A: Again, please understand the discipline is not about not wearing a mask, it is about not following an order of a teacher, principal or other administrator. Our first choice, in most disciplinary situations, is a warning. This will be no different for the mask mandate. Your child will be asked to wear a mask and if they refuse, they will be given a warning and asked again to immediately put on the mask. If they refuse again, then yes, the progression of discipline will occur. However, you need to understand that it will not be enough to simply "take your punishment" and then still not wear a mask. One way or another, to stay in school, your child must wear a mask or provide a valid exception form with physician statement.
Q: How can the teachers possibly know if my child has an exception? Maybe he will just not wear the mask because the teacher will not know.
A: If you submit a valid exception, the exception will be noted in your child's Alma record so the teacher can check. Remember, the exceptions revolve around medical conditions and thus, we will treat the exception as a medical record. Only those who have a need to know will have access to the exception information.
Q: I really don't think anyone is listening to me as a parent. I read the posts on Facebook, I have read this Q&A, and I get the OneCall notifications. I want to talk with someone. How do I do this?
A: As always, you may contact your child's principal or dean of students. You may also contact the Office of the Superintendent. Please be patient with us. You can expect to receive a response/return phone call within 24 hours. If you contact a school principal and do not hear back within 24 hours, please call the office of the Assistant to the Superintendent. If you still are not satisfied, please call the Office of the Superintendent.
Q: I don't get it. I completely support the mask requirement. Why are parents upset, and how do I know the requirement will be enforced?
A: Thank you for your support on this requirement. Ultimately, we want all students to be able to stay in school all year, and we believe this mask requirement may help. We also respect the voice of all of our parents, guardians, and students. That is why, at the beginning of the school year, we simply followed the CDC guidelines and recommended masks but did not require them. Things have now changed, and we are being forced to require them.
Q: We really like our child's principal. Why are you putting her in a position to have to enforce such an unpopular mandate?
A: Our administrators and our Superintendent are certified by the Department of Education. They must comply with this order or they could get in trouble professionally. Much like you may have rules associated with your job, the principals and Superintendent have rules that the Department of Education say they must follow.
Q: I see where administrators in other school districts are not going to enforce the mandate. Is this true?
A: We do not want to speak to the actions of individuals in other school districts, or what other school districts are doing. The Burgettstown Area School District will not knowingly violate this mask mandate.
Q: Ok, ok. I get it. But I still do not agree. I will just send my child to a charter school or private school then. I don't think you want that, do you?
A: Of course we want your child to stay in our schools. We think they are the best option for your child. But please know, the mask order applies to public preK-12 schools, brick and mortar charter schools, cyber charter schools, private schools, parochial schools, career and technical centers, intermediate units, Pre-K counts programs, Head Start Programs, Preschool Early Intervention programs and family centers, private academic nursery schools and locally funded prekindergarten activities, and child care providers licensed by the Department of Human Services of the Commonwealth. In other words, all schools.
Q: Please tell me one more time what will happen if my child comes to school without a mask
A: Your child will go to/be sent to the office. There an administrator will talk with them. The administrator will ask/tell your child to put a mask on. Hopefully that will be the end of it. However, our administrators will also be asked to make a call home. When they do, the parent/guardian can speak with you about the mandate and options for exemptions as listed above. Remember, we want your child in school.
Q: So, where are these exemption forms again?
A: The parent form is here or on the Covid-19 Information and Communications Plans section of the school district website. The physician form is here or on the school district website.
Q: I totally disagree and think the school district is wrong. It makes me so angry. This is not the Burgettstown I grew up in.
A: We understand your emotions. Some of us may even feel the same way. We hope you understand that above all else, Burgettstown is a great place! The pandemic has brought out the best and worst of everyone. It is all so very confusing. Ultimately, we want everyone to stay in school all year and be safe. We hope you help us by supporting us, even if you disagree.
Q: Is there anything good that can come out of the mask requirement?
A: We can think of two things immediately: One is reducing the spread of Covid. The other is reducing the chance your child will need to quarantine. In most cases, mask wearers do not need to quarantine if they are a close contact of a person in school that is Covid-positive.
