Face Covering Expectations and Protocols

• ​Students in grades K-12, as well as our 18 to 21 year old young adults in the S.I.T.E. Program, are required to wear facial coverings while inside any building or enclosed space owned by the building (e.g. press box, locker room, drivers' education vehicle, etc.)
• Students and staff are required to wear facial coverings while on buses and all other district-provided means of student and staff transportation. 
• In alignment with the recommendations made by the American Academy of Pediatrics, students in Pre-K and classes with specialized populations may not be able to utilize masks/face coverings to the same extent as other classrooms (e.g. students that are unable to remove their mask due to physical disabilities, students whose psychological or emotional conditions would be adversely impacted, etc.).  In those instances, employees may choose to wear district-provided face shields in addition to masks/face coverings.  All such exemptions will be approved by the Building Principal.
• Students are not required to wear a mask when eating or drinking.  
• Students and staff do not have to wear masks at recess or any time they are outside for school events or activities.
• Individuals (students or staff) who have a medical condition that does not allow for the wearing of a mask must provide medical document to the Building Principal and Nurse (students) or the Director of Human Resources and School Health Coordinator (staff). 
• Parents are responsible for providing facial coverings for students.  Face coverings should cover the nose and mouth of the student.  
• 2 or 3 ply masks and cotton masks (including homemade) are acceptable.  
• Neck gaiters, neck fleeces, bandanas, knitted masks, and masks with exhalation valves or vents are not permitted.  These masks are prohibited based on studies showing that they do not adequately reduce vapor droplet spread and in some cases increase the ability of vapor droplets to travel.
• Student's name should be written in permanent ink on their face covering/mask to avoid cross contamination.
• Recognizing that it may be difficult for students to wear face coverings/masks continuously throughout an entire school day, staff will be provided guidance for providing "safe face coverings / mask breaks"​​ to balance safety with students' social-emotional well-being.
• In accordance with CDC guidance, the use of clear face shields alone is not adequate protection.  If clear face shields are used, the individual is still required to wear and approved face covering/mask.
• The District will be providing staff who interact with hearing impaired students and teachers of students first learning to read with face masks that have a clear panel that allows the staff member's mouth to be visible to students.  
• Face masks are considered attire and as such, are subject to the terms and conditions of the BSD Code of Student Conduct for Dress Code.  Repeated refusal to comply with wearing a face covering will be deemed defiance and may lead to further disciplinary action.
• Staff working in an isolated office space may remove their mask when no other individual is present, but must put on a mask if joined by another individual. 
• Masks must be worn correctly as illustrated below.

Mask Up BSD!

         Courtesy of the Indiana Department of Public Health

​For Parents

Care of face coverings and masks​

• Masks should be washed daily.
• Masks can be washed with your regular laundry, using regular laundry soap and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the mask.
• Masks can be washed by hand.
  • Prepare a bleach solution of 4 teaspoons of household bleach per quart of room temperature water. 
  • Check the label on the bleach to make sure it is intended for disinfection.  NEVER mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.
  • Soak the mask in the bleach solution for 5 minutes.
  • Rinse thoroughly with cool or room temperature water.

Tips to help young children who may be afraid to wear a face covering:

• Look in the mirror with face coverings on with your child and then talk about it.​
• Put a cloth face covering on a favorite stuffed animal.
• Decorate the a face mask so it's more personal and fun.
• Show your child pictures of family, friends, and other children wearing face coverings.
• Draw a face covering on their favorite book character.
• Practice wearing a face covering with your child to help him or her get used to it before coming to school.

Additional Information

• ​Delaware Division of Public Health:  COVID-19 Guidance: Face Coverings for Children"