Tredyffrin/Easttown School District: Masks Must Be Worn Inside

BERWYN, PA — Anyone entering Tredyffrin/Easttown School District buildings or busses must have a face covering on as TESD stated it will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control.

The decision comes two weeks before the start of the school year for students under a District policy that began Monday, stating that TESD would follow the CDC's updated mitigation strategies for COVID-19 transmission. Those include requiring anyone older than 2 to wear a face-covering while indoors in any District building and on school buses, regardless of vaccination status, according to an Aug. 16 statement from TESD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard Gusick.

On Aug. 13, Gusick notified families in the School District of updates to the District's Health and Safety Plan and details on COVID-19 protocols that will be in place for the start of the 2021-22 school year.

"TESD has been closely monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and we have been in ongoing consultation with the Chester County Health Department (CCHD) throughout the summer. During the 2021-22 school year, we will continue working with the CCHD to respond to COVID-19 cases in our schools, including contact tracing and quarantining as needed," Gusick stated.

On July 30, TESD posted the latest version of the District’s Health and Safety Plan on the TESD website. This plan provides a framework for establishing specific COVID-19 mitigation strategies in our schools and may change depending on local pandemic conditions and new guidance," the statement said.

The District's updated COVID-19 mitigation strategies will go into effect on Monday and will remain in effect until further notice. Families are encouraged to review the COVID-19 mitigation strategies in detail prior to the start of the school year, the Superintendent told parents and guardians.

Details of the COVID-19 Mitigation Protocol, effective Aug. 16 as communicated by TESD are:

• Masking. Individuals 2 and over are required to wear a face covering while indoors in any District building and on school buses regardless of vaccination status. Click here for CDC information on proper mask-wearing. Masking is optional but welcome during outdoor activities such as recess, activity, or PE. Although quarantines may still be required, universal indoor masking will greatly reduce the necessity for educational interruption for all students and staff.
• Physical Distancing. TESD will work to maintain at least 3 feet of physical distancing between students whenever possible. Physical distancing of less than 3 feet may occur in classroom activities, building transitions, transportation, lunch, or other times during the day. The CDC has indicated that the inability to maintain 3 feet of physical distancing should not be a barrier to full, in-person instruction, provided the District implements other prevention strategies such as mask-wearing.
• Symptom Screening. By sending their child to school, families are affirming that their child does not have any COVID-19 symptoms (see full COVID-19 mitigation strategies), has not been directed to quarantine, and is not otherwise sick or ill. A daily symptom screener submission in PowerSchool will no longer be required.
• COVID-19 Testing. Pending the provision of testing supplies from the CCHD and CHOP, the District anticipates being able to conduct rapid antigen testing, both in response to COVID-19 cases and as a screening measure. Weekly screening antigen testing will be available to all unvaccinated students and staff. A survey will be provided prior to the start of the school year to identify those who wish to participate.

Gusick said that in spring, the District distributed a virtual instruction program interest survey followed by a commitment form for the 2021-22 school year. At the time, he reported, there was not enough interest from TESD families for the District to pursue a virtual instruction program.

"We have since received inquiries from TESD families regarding a virtual instructional option for this school year," he said.

He also said on Friday, "We are exploring options for alternate learning programs for TESD families who are interested, and we will share details next week."

Gusick thanked parents who shared their "ideas and vision about the upcoming school year. As you can imagine, there is a wide range of opinions in our community, and many of those thoughts are in direct conflict with each other. We do not wish to diminish any particular point of view. We continue to follow guidance from health authorities with the goal of uninterrupted, in-person instruction during the 2021-22 school year."

The next meeting of the TESD School Board is on Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

At least one TESD parent group opposes mask mandates, a review of social media shows. Patch contacted one group for comment but has not received a response.

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