Please read the important update below from Penn Manor superintendent Dr. Mike Leichliter regarding the PA Department of Health order requiring face coverings at all schools in Pennsylvania.
As you are aware, effective September 7, 2021, the Acting PA Secretary of Health issued an order for all school entities to require that all students wear face coverings while indoors at school.
At its September 7, 2021, meeting, the Penn Manor Board of School Directors extended the deadline for the submission of medical documentation in support of a mask exception for students until September 21, 2021. That grace period expires at the end of today, September 21, 2021.
Beginning Wednesday, September 22, if a student arrives at school and does not have a mask or face shield, a mask or face shield will be provided for them. If they refuse to wear the face covering, they will be asked to wait in the office or other designated location while a parent is notified to pick them up.
As a reminder, a plastic face shield that covers the nose and mouth, extends below the chin, to the ears, and leaves no exposed gap between the forehead and the shield’s headpiece is an acceptable alternative to a mask.
All families who have filed a request for an exception from the mask order will be notified by the end of the day on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, of the status of their request. New exception requests may be filed here.
Collectively, we appreciate your support in having your child follow this order and not put our staff members in the middle of any disagreement that you may have with the order. Please be reminded of the alternative educational offerings for students whose parents do not want their children to comply with the order:
- Full-time, graded online instructional option through Penn Manor Virtual School (Monday—Friday).
- Homeschooling. This option requires the student to withdraw from Penn Manor School District, and the parent to assume the responsibility for the child’s education following the PA Homeschool Regulations.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Michael G. Leichliter, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools