The Riverside Beaver County School District has posted a masking order update from its administration on the district website this week. In the statement the district advises it will follow the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s order that all staff, students, and visitors wear a mask while indoors in any school building starting on Tuesday, September 7th. The full statement reads as follows:
With the recent order imposed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, we feel it necessary to restate the goals of the Riverside School District as we continue to navigate together through these trying times. We empathize with the frustration of what has become a long period of change and uncertainty during the past year and a half. We have listened to differing opinions on many topics, and we do not make decisions lightly nor in haste.
Our main goal has been to provide 5-day per week in-person instruction in an environment as safe as possible for our students and staff. We understand that hybrid learning or closing school has a significant impact on our students and their parents. As a public school district, we balance our goal of maintaining in-person instruction with following all orders from different state entities.
Currently, according to the Department of Health, if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, and the close contact were wearing a face-covering and were 3-6 feet apart or greater, then they would not need to quarantine. If you are vaccinated, you do not need to quarantine; however, you must follow guidelines regarding wearing a face covering and testing. The District must follow the quarantining guidance. As already experienced in other school districts, if the number of quarantined kids reaches 5% of the school’s population or the number of staff members who have to quarantine creates a staffing shortage, the school would have to close for a period of time.
With this in mind, the Riverside School District will follow the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s order that all staff, students, and visitors wear a mask while indoors in any school building starting on Tuesday, September 7th.
This approach will limit disruptions to learning and other school-related activities and significantly reduce the risk of quarantines for students and staff. As a result, this will allow us to keep students in schools and give us the ability to offer on-campus instruction to all our students.
The Department of Health Order: Order of the Acting Secretary Directing Face Coverings in Schools.pdf (pa.gov)
Exemptions: There are exceptions in the Order that allow individuals who meet specific criteria to attend school without wearing masks. The Exception Requirements as stated
in the Department of Health Order:
“Section 3: Exceptions to Covering Requirements” of the “Order of the Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Heath Directing Face Coverings in School Entities”
states that an individual is exempted from this Order “if wearing a face covering would either cause a medical condition or exacerbate an existing one, including respiratory
issues that impede breathing, a mental health condition or disability.” All other alternatives to a face covering, including the use of a face shield, should be exhausted
before an individual is exempted from the Order.
Requests for masking exemptions are reviewed on a case by case basis for health reasons. This allows the District to meet its legal obligations to students by assessing their individualized needs and related accommodations. This is an interactive process. Per the District Solicitor, all requests for exemptions should be made in writing with any related supporting medical documentation from a qualified medical professional attached. All exemption documentation should be submitted to the main
office of your child’s school.
Mental Health: We understand that the last two school years have been disruptive to our students. Every student is different in how they handle these disruptions. If your child needs any academic, emotional, or social support, please reach out to our highly trained Guidance Counselors.
If you would like to reach out to your local state representative, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, or the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the contact information is provided:
Legislature: Find Your Legislator – PA General Assembly (state.pa.us)
PA Department of Health: Page 1 of 1: Department of Health
PDE: Contact Us (pa.gov)
Thank you for your continued support and flexibility. We share your desire for all of our students and staff to have a successful and uninterrupted school year.
Sincerely,
The Riverside Beaver County School District Board of Directors and Bret Trotta, Superintendent
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