4118.237/4218.237/5141.1 - Face Masks Coverings


Policy 4118.237/4218.237/5141.8 

Personnel Certified/Non-Certified

Students

Face Masks/Coverings

The Newtown Board of Education (the “Board”) recognizes the importance of protecting the health and safety of students, staff, and the community during a public health emergency. As such, and in accordance with requirements and guidelines issued by a federal authority or the Governor of the State of Connecticut or their designated authority, the Board requires that all individuals entering a school building, a Newtown Public Schools (“District”) facility, or a District transportation vehicle wear an appropriate face covering. An appropriate face covering shall consist of a cloth mask or disposable procedure-style mask that completely covers the individual’s nose and mouth. Any individual who presents for entrance into a school building, District facility or District transportation vehicle who is not wearing an appropriate face covering shall be provided an appropriate face covering by the District.

Compliance with this policy shall be mandatory for all individuals while in a school building, District facility and/or District transportation vehicle, unless an applicable exception applies. Any individual who refuses to wear an appropriate face covering at all times while in a school building, District facility or District transportation vehicle shall be denied admission and/or required to leave the premises, unless an applicable exception applies. In addition, failure to comply with this policy may lead to disciplinary action for students and staff, and exclusion from school property for members of the community, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and/or Board policies.

All individuals participating in or attending any school-sponsored activities must wear an appropriate face covering, whether or not those activities occur in a school building, District facility or District transportation vehicle, unless an applicable exception applies or the Administration, in consultation with the local health department, determines that face coverings are not required for certain activities and athletics.

The Board authorizes the Superintendent or designee to develop administrative regulations and/or protocols to implement this policy. Such administrative regulations and/or protocols shall outline authorized exceptions to the requirement that all individuals wear an appropriate face covering in the school buildings, District facilities and District transportation vehicles and may identify additional face covering rules as related to the safe operation of the school community.

Legal References:
Connecticut General Statutes § 10-221
Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together, Connecticut State Department of Education, as amended.
         
Adopted: September 21, 2021

R4118.237(a)
4218.237
5141.8
Personnel Certified/Non-Certified

Students

Face Masks/Coverings

In accordance with requirements and guidelines issued by a federal authority or the Governor of the State of Connecticut or their designated authority, the Newtown Public Schools (“District”) requires that all individuals entering a school building, a District facility, or a District transportation vehicle wear an appropriate face covering. An appropriate face covering shall consist of a cloth mask or disposable procedure-style mask that completely covers the individual’s nose and mouth. Any individual who presents for entrance into a school building, District facility or District transportation vehicle who is not wearing an appropriate face covering shall be provided an appropriate face covering by the District.

Compliance with these protocols shall be mandatory for all individuals while in a school building, District facility and/or District transportation vehicle, unless an applicable exception applies. Any individual who refuses to wear an appropriate face covering at all times while in a school building, District facility or District transportation vehicle shall be denied admission and/or required to leave the premises, unless an applicable exception applies. In addition, failure to comply with these protocols may lead to disciplinary action for students and staff, and exclusion from school property for members of the community, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and/or Board policies.


All individuals participating in or attending any school-sponsored activities must wear an appropriate face covering, whether or not those activities occur in a school building, District facility or District transportation vehicle, unless an applicable exception applies or the Administration, in consultation with the local health department, determines that face coverings are not required for certain activities and athletics.

        Students and all individuals being transported on District transportation vehicles are required to wear appropriate face coverings (face coverings must be worn prior to boarding and while exiting the vehicle), in accordance with the District’s Transportation Protocols.  Please see below for additional procedures for face covering exemption requirements.

        Students, staff and all individuals inside school buildings and District facilities are required to wear appropriate face coverings except if: (i) the individual cannot wear the face covering because the individual has difficulty breathing, is unconscious, or incapacitated; (ii) the individual cannot remove the face covering without assistance; (iii) the individual has a documented medical reason making it unsafe to wear a mask; (iv) the student is in preschool; or (v) the individual has a disability that causes the individual to be unable to wear a face covering.

Important Note: The need for a medical exemption for the wearing of face coverings of the styles recommended for use in schools for source control is rare. Medical contraindications to the wearing of cloth or other similar loose fitting masks generally are limited to individuals suffering from severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as might be seen with cystic fibrosis, severe emphysema, heart failure, or significant facial burns that would cause extreme pain or interfere with the healing of a skin graft. These severe medical conditions will be rare in students or staff capable of presenting to the school for work or instruction (in most cases these individuals would not be able to move about freely without significant assistance). Mild or intermittent respiratory or other common conditions such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease, or other similar conditions generally are not considered contraindications to the wearing of loose-fitting face coverings.

        Face coverings may only be removed within the school building for the following reasons: (i) eating/drinking; (ii) on school grounds with appropriate social distancing implemented; and (iii) educational or medical activities requiring removal of masks (speech and language, evaluations, etc.) ONLY under circumstances when the school has implemented appropriate and District-approved mitigating measures (such as gowns, face shields, additional social distancing, physical barriers for District employees and/or students).

        If a student claims a medical or disability-related exemption from wearing a face covering, the District shall follow the Decision Tree - Face Covering Exemptions in these Protocols. If the District determines the request is based on medical need, the parent or guardian and the student’s treating physician must complete the Face Covering Exemption Request Form. If the District determines the request is based on disability (skill deficit), the District shall promptly convene a Planning and Placement Team (“PPT”) Meeting or Section 504 Team meeting as appropriate to discuss and consider necessary programming revisions, accommodations, modifications, etc. 

        If a staff member claims a medical or disability-related exemption from wearing a face covering, the District shall comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and requirements regarding the evaluation of, and response to, any such claim. 

        Students shall be offered face covering breaks during the school day as determined appropriate by the Administration.  A face covering break consists of the student removing the face covering from the student’s own nose and mouth for a short period of time. Protective measures would be implemented whenever possible, such measures may include social distancing, physical barriers, increased ventilation, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, and exclusion of ill individuals.  When practicable, school personnel supervising students shall schedule face covering breaks outdoors.

Decision-Making Tree - Face Covering Exemptions



IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PRINT THE FOLLOWING FORMS PLEASE CLICK THE PDF ICON AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE.


FACE COVERING
MEDICAL/HEALTH EXEMPTION FORM
COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus that spreads by respiratory droplets released when individuals talk, cough or sneeze.  Many individuals infected with COVID-19 are asymptomatic and contagious. Federal and state public health agencies, including the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommend that individuals wear a face covering to limit the spread of COVID-19. 
The Connecticut State Department of Education and __________ Public Schools require ALL students, beginning in kindergarten, to wear face coverings during the school day.  Any student seeking a medical exemption to the face covering requirement must have the student’s treating physician complete the below Medical/Health Exemption Form.  As noted below, _________ Public Schools will consult with the student’s treating physician to determine what reasonable accommodations, if any, would allow the student to wear a face covering during the school day.  In light of the significant public health and safety requirements, the _______ Public Schools require that any request for medical exemption be completed and submitted to _____________, the [title] at ________ [email]. 
Students submitting requests for medical exemption are subject to COVID-19 containment strategies pending the completion of the exemption review process.  COVID-19 containment strategies may include assignment to home-based remote learning to mitigate the possibility of infection to the student or others in the physical school building. 

Name of Child:_______________________  Date of Birth:_________________________
Address of Child: _________________________________________________________
Name of Parent(s):_________________________________________________________
Address of Parent(s):________________________________________________________
(if different from child)

 

Contact Information for Treating Physician
Name:___________________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________
Phone:_______________________ Fax:__________________ Email:________________
THE ___________ PUBLIC SCHOOLS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DENY MASK EXEMPTION REQUESTS WITHOUT SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THE HEALTH-RELATED NECESSITY OF SUCH REQUEST. 
I HEREBY CONSENT TO SCHOOL OFFICIALS OF THE __________ PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONSULTING WITH THE ABOVE-NAMED TREATING PHYSICIAN IN CONNECTION WITH THE REQUEST FOR A MEDICAL EXEMPTION FROM WEARING A FACE COVERING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.  I UNDERSTAND THAT MY CHILD’S TREATING PHYSICIAN IS AUTHORIZED TO EXCHANGE HEALTH/MEDICAL AND EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION RELATED TO THE FACE COVERING MEDICAL EXEMPTION REQUEST SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF MY CHILD, ____________ [NAME OF STUDENT], WITH THE _____________ PUBLIC SCHOOLS .  I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OF SUCH INFORMATION IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER A MEDICAL EXEMPTION IS NECESSARY AND/OR WHETHER THERE ARE ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE FACE COVERING EXEMPTION REQUEST.  I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS AUTHORIZATION WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2021, UNLESS I REVOKE THIS AUTHORIZATION AT AN EARLER TIME BY SUBMITTING WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE WITHDRAWAL OF CONSENT.  I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HEALTH/MEDICAL RECORDS, ONCE SHARED WITH THE _________ PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WILL BE EDUCATION RECORDS UNDER FEDERAL EDUCATION RECORD LAWS (FERPA) AND MAY NOT BE PROTECTED BY THE HIPAA PRIVACY RULE.  I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT REFUSAL TO CONSENT TO THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION DESCRIBED ABOVE WILL NOT AFFECT ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE. 

________________________________________                _________________________
PRINT NAME                                                                         DATE
PARENT/GUARDIAN           


________________________________________               
SIGNATURE                                                                          
PARENT/GUARDIAN           

 



The section below must be completed by the student’s treating physician to verify a health or medical reason that prohibits the student from wearing a face covering in the school building and/or on school grounds or to identify possible accommodations for the student to wear a face covering within the school building or on school grounds.  Upon completion, this form must be provided by the treating physician directly to the ___________ Public Schools, care of [insert contact name] at [address].
The treating physician MUST consult with school health supervisory personnel prior to completing this form. The contact information for the school health supervisory personnel for this matter (COVID-19 Liaison at ____________ Public Schools) is:

Medical Verification
YES      NO

I have consulted with school health supervisory personnel regarding the student's ability towear a face covering due to a verified medical or health reason

YES       NO
After consultation with school health supervisory personnel, I have determined that reasonable accommodations would permit the student to wear a face covering for parts or all of the school day.


If yes, to the above question:

I have determined that the following reasonable accommodations would permit the student to wear a face covering during the school day (examples include, without limitation, face covering breaks at specified intervals, use of face shield when a face covering is contraindicated, use of bandana or looser fitting face covering):

YES       NO
After consultation with school health supervisory personnel, I have determined that the student cannot wear a face covering during the entire school day due to a verified medical or health reason. 


The student has been diagnosed with the following medical condition(s) that prevent the student from wearing a face covering at all times during the school day:  ________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

* Documentation supporting the above diagnosis MUST be submitted to the _____ Public Schools along with this Medical Verification Form.

By signing below, I verify that the above information is accurate to the best of my professional knowledge. 


____________________________________                        ____________________
Signature of Treating Physician                                               Date



____________________________________                        ____________________
Print Name of Treating Physician                                CT License No.











Inspiring Each Student to Excel

3 Primrose St., Newtown, CT 06470
Phone: 203-426-7600