Pueblo School District 60 issued the following announcement on Aug. 28.
Pueblo School District 60 Face Covering Protocol Face coverings and/or masks are a critical tool to help slow the spread of COVID-19 when combined with everyday preventive actions and social distancing in public settings.
“Face Covering” or “Mask” means a uniform piece of material, including multiple layers of fabric, that securely covers a person’s nose and mouth and remains affixed in place without the use of one’s hands.
The following guidelines will be followed by all Pueblo School District 60 students and staff:
- All K-12 students attending District 60, and all adults are to wear face coverings while in school buildings or facilities, on school buses and vehicles or at school-sanctioned activities.
- Preschool children will wear face coverings “to the extent possible.”
- Students and/or adults who are found without a mask will be directed to immediately put a mask on. Should they not have one, the school will provide one to the student and/or adult.
- Face coverings may be taken off during outdoor recess, exercise activities (i.e. high aerobic PE activities) and during preschool naps.
- Any student who because of health considerations is unable to wear a face covering may request an accommodation by completing a medical mask exemption form.
- If appropriate, a health team, 504 team, or IEP team meeting will be held to determine the appropriate accommodations for the student in light of current health and safety considerations and the student’s individualized needs.
- Children with disabilities, including those seeking and those who have received an accommodation to refrain from mask-wearing due to a disability, are entitled to receive a free appropriate public education free from bullying and harassment. To assist staff in recognizing students with an accommodation related to mask-wearing within in-person learning settings and to thereby reduce the likelihood that staff unfamiliar with the student’s accommodation will inadvertently interfere with the student’s ability to exercise their accommodation from mask-wearing requirements, preK-5th grade students with a mask-wearing accommodation will wear a small yellow smiley face pin on their shirt. Students grade 6-12 with such an accommodation will wear an acrylic colorful wristband on their wrist. Nevertheless, some students may misplace or fail to display their pin or wristband, and such failure on the student’s part will have no effect on their right to exercise their accommodations. Staff unfamiliar with the accommodations of a student should be prepared to honor a student’s word that they have received an accommodation from mask-wearing requirements unless and until the staff member verifies the existence or non-existence of such accommodation. Students who are untruthful with staff for any reason or who violate applicable school rules related to mask-wearing may be referred to school administrators for counseling or as part of the disciplinary process, as appropriate.
- Students will be able to wear their own personal cloth face coverings so long as the coverings meet the requirements of these rules.
- Pueblo School District #60 will provide every PreK-12 student a cloth face covering on the first day of school. As indicated above, students have the option of wearing their own mace covering so long as it meets the requirements of these rules. All face coverings must adhere to the District’s Student Dress Code Policy – JICA.
- Unacceptable face coverings at school, on school property, or at a school-sanctioned activity will include:
- Bandanas or scarves.
- Face coverings that promote drugs, alcohol or tobacco either by brand or message.
- Face coverings with sexually suggestive language or message.
- Face coverings that promote any activity prohibited by the student code of conduct and/or law.
- Face coverings and accessories indicative of affiliation with a gang, secret society or disruptive group. This includes, but is not limited to gang-related colors or numbers, bandana, emblems, trademarks, badges, insignias or logos.
- Students will be expected to wash cloth face coverings with soap and water, rinse and dry the face covering at home daily or wear a clean face covering to school.
- Extra disposable paper face coverings will be available in each school for students who may forget their own face coverings.
- Wash your hands before putting on your face covering.
- Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under the chin.
- Try to fit the face covering snugly against the sides of your face.
- Make sure you can breathe easily.
- Wear a face covering that covers your nose and mouth to help protect others in case you’re infected with COVID-19 but don’t have symptoms.
- Don’t put the face covering around your neck or up on your forehead.
- Don’t touch the face covering, and, if you do, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer to disinfect.
- Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops.
- Handle only by the loops or ties.
- Fold outside corners together.
- Place coverings in the washing machine.
- Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing and wash hands immediately after removing.
- Students who refuse to wear the proper face coverings and who do not have a medical reason for doing so are subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the District’s disciplinary policies. A mask will be provided to them for the day and their parents/guardians will be contacted to remind them that the student may not return to school without a required mask. Students who refuse to wear masks at school may be assigned to online learning until such time that they will fully comply with the applicable health and safety guidelines.
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