December 12, 2021
Dear Parents, Students and Employees,
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled the Department of Health’s mask order/mandate to be unconstitutional, and it has ended effective December 10, 2021. As a result, our Health and Safety Plan will go back into effect. This includes the provision that masking is a family choice for their student(s} while inside the school buildings. However, it is important to understand that the Court's decision does not apply to transportation. It is also important to understand that all other protocol for mitigating COVID-19 cases to include contact tracing are still in place. P.M.A.S.D. and the C.D.C. highly recommends that all individuals in our school buildings wear a face covering unless the individual has an exemption on file with the school.
Transportation of students is governed by Federal law, all students, staff, and drivers on school buses are still required to be masked. This includes transportation to and from school and during any extra curricular activity trip. Respectfully, your cooperation in this matter is required if you plan to use District transportation. Individuals with an approved mask exemption will be exempt from wearing a face covering on District transportation. Parents may also elect to transport their child(ren) to and from school if they do not want them to wear a face covering on District buses and vans.
As of this moment, the mask mandate is lifted in our school buildings. However, with the holiday season fast approaching, our current high quarantine numbers and quarantine requirements still in place for contact tracing, P.M.A.S.D. highly recommends individuals in our school building wear a face covering and to keep the following in mind:
- Individuals not wearing a mask who are in close contact with an individual who has tested positive in school will need to quarantine at home. Currently, if an individual who is wearing a face covering comes in close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 the individual does not need to quarantine unless they develop symptoms. In addition, vaccinated individuals who are in close contact with an individual who has tested positive do not need to quarantine unless they develop symptoms.
- Our positive cases in school and the number of students quarantined due to a close contact outside of school have been higher since Thanksgiving break more so than we have experienced so far this school year.
- We want our students to stay healthy along with our employees in which we have limited substitute coverage.
We are currently working with the Department of Health and the Department of Education in examining our local Health and Safety Plan to determine what can be done to limit the number of quarantines for asymptomatic students and staff. Once we reach a final decision, we will be sure to communicate with you.
Reminder: No individual should be in school if they are feeling ill.
In summary for Monday:
- We are highly recommending individuals continue to wear a face covering while in our school buildings
- Face coverings are still required on all public transportation including school buses.
- We have reverted to our original health and safety plan.
- More information will follow as our District receives additional information from P.D.E. and the PA Dept. of Health
Sincerely,
Daren Johnston
Superintendent