In an effort to protect both students and staff from the COVID-19 virus, the district has implemented precautions requiring all students and employees, including visitors, to wear a cloth face mask or face covering while working in or around the district at all times.
Wynantskill UFSD will allow students and employees to wear their own acceptable face covering. An acceptable face mask or face covering covers the nose and mouth and fits the face snuggly. Any face mask/face covering with a vent is not acceptable. Gaiters and bandanas are also not acceptable face coverings. Face shields cannot replace masks. Students may wear a face shield in addition to a mask if they choose.
Only those who are identified by the school district and are medically cleared to wear an N95 respirator per 29 CFR Part 1910.134, are authorized. The N95 respirator is intended for individuals who are engaging in medical related activities or high risk care situations. Any employee who required, other than a healthcare professional or a maintenance employee, to wear an N95 respirator will need to provide a medical note to the school district stating such.
Cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected, but does not have symptoms. Cloth face coverings are not surgical masks, respirators, or other medical personal protective equipment.
All students, staff, and visitors must wear a face mask or face covering:
- Whenever they are within six feet of someone
- in hallways;
- in restrooms
- and in other congregate settings, including buses and classrooms.
Wynantskill UFSD will provide acceptable disposable face masks to staff, students, and visitors (if they do not have their own) and will maintain an adequate supply in case of need for replacement per Executive Order 202.16.
Face coverings or face masks may be challenging for students (especially younger students) to wear all-day in a school setting, so scheduled mask breaks will be implemented throughout the school day. There will be designated mask breaks during the school day while students are seated and six feet apart in their classrooms. The breaks (not including lunch) will occur every hour for approximately ten minutes in length. Teachers will schedule the mask breaks during instruction and/or if they are outdoors. If students are outside and socially distanced, six feet apart, they may remove their masks while being supervised. If they are outside and engaging in any aerobic activities, they must be socially distanced 12-feet apart.
Face coverings will not be required or placed on:
- Children younger than 2 years old;
- Students where such covering would impair their health or mental health, or where such covering would present a challenge, distraction, or obstruction to education services and instruction;
- Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious; or
- Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without
assistance.