Stafford County Public Schools recently issued the following announcement.
Dear SCPS Families and Staff,
I am writing to share some important news with you regarding the actions taken at the School Board meeting held on Thursday, January 20, 2022. At this meeting, the Stafford County School Board voted to continue the universal mask mandate with no parental opt-out for PreK-12 students, staff, and visitors in school buildings, consistent with the 2021 Virginia Acts, Chapter 456 (commonly known as SB 1303), which is in effect through August 1, 2022, including exemptions identified by the CDC and the following additional exemptions:
1. Individuals eating, drinking, or sleeping;
2. Individuals exercising or using exercise equipment;
3. Any person who is playing a musical instrument when wearing a mask would inhibit the playing of the instrument so long as at least six feet of physical distance can be maintained from other persons;
4. Any person who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance;
5. Any person who has a disability or meets at-risk criteria of those assisting such persons, including but not limited to individuals with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) or 504 plan under the Rehabilitation Act, where wearing a mask would inhibit communication or the receiving of services;
6. When necessary to participate in a religious ritual; and
7. Persons with health conditions or disabilities that prohibit wearing a mask.
As such, all students, staff, and visitors are required to continue wearing masks (unless they qualify for any of the exemptions listed above) in school buildings through August 1, 2022. Additionally, masks are required throughout the duration of all school bus rides as mandated by federal order. We will continue to remind students to wear masks as expected. Students who repeatedly elect not to wear masks may be subject to disciplinary action through the Code of Student Conduct, as has been the practice since the beginning of the mask mandate.
Parents or guardians who wish to request an exemption for their child should first contact their child’s principal. The principal may direct you to the most appropriate staff member to assist with your request if further information is required. This may be the school’s designated 504 coordinator, school nurse, special education case manager, or other staff member as appropriate. We are further refining this process to expedite the time it takes to complete an exemption request.
We are aware that the Governor's Executive Order #2 is presently being challenged in the Virginia Supreme Court. Should the Virginia Supreme Court uphold the Governor’s Executive Order, the School Board will again convene to discuss this issue further. We understand that this decision is frustrating for some families. As we work through the final four months of this school year, our steadfast commitment remains to provide our students with high quality, in-person instruction.
Original source can be found here.
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