Masking

Properly worn face coverings are required by law (OAR 333-019-1025) while inside for all students, staff and visitors. There are some exceptions for afterschool activities and athletics that we will continue to review as we work with our partners to ensure the district adheres to state guidelines. The local guidance that follows will be reviewed and adjusted if appropriate at the end of September. Click here to view the Oregon Health Authority's face covering FAQ page. Click here for specifics on which mask designs are permitted and which are not.

 

Background

On August 2, 2021, the OHA adopted a rule requiring face coverings in all K-12 indoor school settings (OAR 333-019-1015). This rule applies to public, private, parochial, charter, youth corrections education programs (YCEP) and juvenile detention education programs (JDEP) or alternative educational programs offering kindergarten through grade 12 or any part thereof. The rule requires all individuals 5 years of age and older to wear a face-covering while indoors in a K-12 school, during school hours. Certain accommodations for medical needs or disabilities may be necessary. Children under 5 who are learning in preschool classrooms that operate in school settings are not required to wear face coverings. In any early learning program serving 0 to 5-year-olds, students are not required to wear a face covering.

On August 13, 2021, the OHA adopted OAR 333-019-1025 requiring everyone age five (5) or older to wear a face-covering anywhere indoors, including but not limited to public and private workplaces, businesses, indoor areas open to the public, building lobbies, common or shared spaces, classrooms, elevators, bathrooms, transportation services and other indoor space where people may gather for any purpose. A person responsible for an indoor space, such as a school building or district office, must ensure that employees, contractors and volunteers comply with this rule within the indoor space; must post signs at every entrance to the space that face coverings are required; and must make a reasonable effort to ensure that customers, guests, visitors and other individuals comply with this rule within the indoor space.

On August 24, 2021, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced new statewide outdoor mask requirements to help stop the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. The new requirements, effective Aug. 27, apply to spectators at school-sponsored events.

On November 23, 2021, the OHA announced an update to OAR 333-019-1025 and OAR 333-019-1015, revising the statewide indoor-/outdoor face-covering rule and the K-12 face-covering rule. The revision to OAR 333-019-1025 maintained a statewide requirement for mask use in indoor settings and removed the requirement for everyone age 5 and older to wear a face-covering outdoors where people from separate households gather. The revision to OAR 333-019-1015 removed the outdoor face-covering requirement for K-12 settings. Schools may continue to require students and staff to wear face coverings during outdoor activities. 

Face Shields

A face shield may be worn instead of a face covering if an individual cannot wear a face covering for medical reasons. Face coverings are preferred over face shields, as they provide better containment of small aerosols that can be produced while talking. A face covering is NOT a substitute for physical distancing. Face coverings are required and maintaining at least 3 feet of physical distancing to the extent possible, especially when indoors around people from different households is strongly recommended.

Activities

Indoor or Outdoor: Students are not required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors when practicing or playing an OSAA-sanctioned competitive sport at any level, including cheerleading and dance/drill. Students not actively participating (i.e., on the sideline during an indoor or outdoor competition, etc.) are required to wear a mask. Students are required to wear a mask when in the weight room.

Indoor: Coaches and support staff, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask during indoor practices and competitions. This includes weight training regardless of location.

• Spectators (5 years or older) are required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status, at indoor practices and competitions.

• Students are not required to wear a mask indoors when playing an instrument that requires the mouth. Choir students are required to wear a mask during indoor practices but are exempt from this requirement for performances.

Outdoor: The OHA's latest update to its guidance removed the outdoor face-covering requirement for all students, staff, volunteers and visitors. The updated guidance includes but is not limited to athletic events, outdoor PE, outdoor music, recess, arrival and dismissal.

Note: At this time, capacity limits are not mandated for indoor or outdoor events but increased physical distancing and ventilation can help limit the possibility of spread, especially when case counts are high in the community. As stated previously, the OHA rule does not prohibit a school or school district from applying a more restrictive requirement. That would be a local school decision. Schools are encouraged to consult with their legal counsel and/or PACE with any questions regarding liability.