Governor Hogan’s Executive Order 20-08-03-01 and the subsequent guidance from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), requires the use of cloth face coverings in schools when not contraindicated due to a:

● medical condition

● disability

● developmental immaturity

● or other health or safety concerns as indicated by the CDC.

In the event a family believes a child meets the requirement for an exception as noted above, they should review and complete the process contained within the Request for Exception form (Request for Exception/Accommodation, COVID-19 Student Face Covering).

Wearing face coverings in the school building both models and reinforces the importance of face coverings to students. The following information is intended to provide clarity about the FCPS requirements for wearing face coverings in school buildings.

Barring the exceptions identified below, staff and students are required to wear face coverings while in the school building, which includes at all times when moving within a school building, including hallways, common spaces, and office areas and when entering and exiting the building.

● Visitors are required to wear a face covering at all times when in a school building and when entering and exiting the building.

● Students are required to wear a face covering on the bus. Drivers and assistants are required to wear face coverings at all times when students are on the bus.

● Staff and students are authorized to use their own face coverings, but FCPS will provide them if students or staff do not want to bring their own.

● Face shields alone are not a substitution for a face covering and must only be used in limited situations. FCPS will provide face shields for staff who must work in close proximity to students and where viewing the face is beneficial (e.g., language instruction, working with students with special education needs, etc.). Staff may choose to wear a personally provided face shield in addition to a face covering, if they desire.

● Students may remove face coverings while eating lunch, snacks, or drinking when there is proper social distancing.

● Staff and students may remove face coverings during outside activities on school grounds, if social distancing (6 ft.) can be maintained.

In order to ensure a safe learning environment for staff, students and visitors to schools, the following guidance is provided to school based administrators.

Response for non-compliance with FCPS Guidance on Face Coverings in School Buildings for secondary students:

Tier 1: Staff Managed

● Staff reminder/request to comply

● Staff contacts parent

Tier 2: Counselor/Administrator Support

● Warning and conference with: ○ Counselor or administrator ○ Review Face Covering resources and expectations

Tier 3: Administrator Managed

● Referral and parent conference/contact

● Return to full virtual learning:

○ First Offense - 1 week

○ Second Offense - 2 weeks

○ Third Offense - until the end of the semester or until masks are no longer required.

Volunteers and Visitors Non-Compliance:

● Staff request to comply and reported to school administration

● Contact by School Administrator

● No Trespass Letter issued