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.​ All staff must wear a face covering.
• 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 must wear District-provided face shields in addition to masks/face coverings.  All such exemptions will be approved by the Building Principal.
• 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 the Director of Human Resources. 
• 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 must be written in permanent ink on their face covering/mask to avoid cross contamination.
• Masks musts be worn correctly as illustrated below.
• 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/covering breaks"​​ to balance safety with students' social-emotional well-being.
• Students do not have to wear masks during recess if they are maintaining social distancing of 6 feet or more.
• 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 clear panel that allows the staff member's mouth to be visible.  
• 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. 
• 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 or if they venture outside the office space.  

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"