This summer, the vast majority of Pennsylvania School Districts voted to implement mask-optional health and safety plans, returning choice to parents. As of the end of August, only about 20% of Pennsylvania school districts had universal mandatory masking policies.
ORANGE = Mask Conditional
GREEN = Mask Required
On August 31, 2021, after Pennsylvania children already returned to school, the Wolf administration attempted to throw the settled school reopening plans into chaos. At an impromptu press conference, Governor Wolf and Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam announced that they would be “directing” all K-12 and early learning school entities “to require” face coverings for all students and staff, state wide. Beam went on to describe this as an “order,” slated to take effect on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
As is often the case with such “orders,” however, it quickly became evident that this was merely another episode of Political Theater from the Wolf administration, designed to confuse, pressure, intimidate, and coerce, without any real substance or enforcement.
Order of the Acting Secretary of PA DOH Directing Face Coverings in School Entities:
>>> Read the Order <<<
Issued in conjunction with the August 31st press conference, the order purports to require face coverings for all individuals two years of age and up, in all “school entities.” Notably, Section 3 of the order contains a list of exceptions, most of which are a verbatim copy of the exceptions included in the July 2020 Universal Face Covering Order issued by then-Secretary of Health Rachel Levine. Among other things, individuals are excepted from the face covering requirement, “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.”
In an effort to honor their preexisting health and safety plans and the wishes of the majority of the community, public school districts, private schools, and child care facilities around the state have begun to respond to this order by issuing statements that they will accept exceptions without any requirement of physician signature or documentation. Here in Bucks County, some of the largest suburban school districts have already executed similar plans.
PDE Answers to FAQs:
>>> Read the FAQs <<<
The Pennsylvania Department of Education issued its own clarifying document, titled “Answers to FAQs,” which it later updated on September 3, 2021. While it was rumored that the update would be an attempt to erode the exceptions outlined in the order, the updated document merely recommends that exceptions be accepted in accordance with Section 504 and states that school entities should “follow their established processes for determining student eligibility.” The prior version of the FAQ stated that schools “may” require documentation; this is a minor change in phraseology, but the fact remains that it is up to the school entity itself to permit exceptions as it sees fit.
Bottom Line
If you believe that your child is exempt from wearing a face covering based upon the exceptions in Section 3 of the Order, please fill out the appropriate form below and return it to your child’s school office, principal, and superintendent. If you have any questions about these forms, please let us know at info@reopenbucks.com, and we will do our best to help you.
If you are concerned about whether or not it is appropriate for you to utilize these exception forms, please take a few minutes to watch this video.
Click to Open Your Face Mask Exception Form:
>>> Generic Parent Form <<<
>>> Pennridge School District <<<
>>> Council Rock School District <<<
>>> Central Bucks School District <<<
