Will students and staff be required to wear masks when school begins on August 30?
Yes. All students and staff are required to follow masking guidelines in all UCFSD buildings dependent upon transmission levels in Chester County. Additionally, in accordance with federal mandate, students and staff are required to wear masks while riding a school bus.
Are masks required for the full school year?
We will continue to monitor the rate of community transmission. As it improves, mitigation strategies (like face masks) will be reviewed. The Chester County Health Department provides weekly COVID-19 Monitoring reports.
What happens if my child forgets a mask or refuses to wear one in school?
If a student forgets to bring a mask, the student will be provided with a disposable mask. A student who arrives at school without wearing a mask will also be provided with a disposable mask. If the student refuses the mask, the staff member will remind the student about the school rules for wearing a mask. If the student continues to refuse to wear a mask, the building administration will intervene and parents will be notified. In all cases, a student who refuses to wear a mask will not be permitted to remain in the classroom or school.
Are there any exceptions to the mask requirement?
Yes. Mask exceptions may be granted for a medical condition and/or disability. A completed Face Mask Exemption Request Form may be required.
Will students be provided with mask breaks?
Yes, students will be provided with mask breaks throughout the school day.
Are masks required outside?
Masks are optional outside.
What is the current definition of “close contact?”
Close contact is still within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more, or if there is household contact. However, per the Chester County Health Department, students who were within 3 to 6 feet of a student with COVID-19 are excluded if both students were properly masked.
Will the District still conduct contact tracing? How will this work if students are masked?
Yes. Per the Chester County Health Department and the CDC, contact tracing is still required in the event of a positive case with the following exceptions:
This exception does not apply to adults in the indoor classroom setting. Fully vaccinated individuals or those who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 within the prior three months are not required to quarantine.
If only my child has to quarantine, will they be able to access instruction online?
Asynchronous work will be provided to elementary students who need to quarantine as we have done in the past when a student misses days of instruction due to illness. Secondary students will be allowed to remote into class for COVID-19 Quarantine or COVID-19 illness only.
At what point would we close a classroom due to COVID-19?
If there is linked transmission that can be traced back to classroom, we will work with the Chester County Health Department to evaluate the need to close/quarantine the entire class and follow to their recommendation. This would be the same procedure for linked transmission on a school bus.
At what point would we close the school?
If we have linked transmissions throughout multiple classrooms in the school, we will work with the Chester County Health Department to evaluate the need to close/quarantine the school and follow to their recommendation.
