Archive: Mask Policy - Retired 6/30/2022
*NOTICE* Effective March 1, 2022, state law makes the wearing of face masks by students optional when on school property, including school buses, and overrides the portions of Albemarle County Public Schools’ mask policy pertaining to mask use by students.
*UPDATE* Beginning April 4, 2022, face masks will become optional for everyone, including employees and visitors, when on school property, including all school and division facilities, inside or outside, and school buses.
Policy on Masks and Acceptable Face Coverings
Adopted: August 27, 2020; Revised July 8, 2021
The Albemarle County School Board (“School Board”) is aware of the evolving need for mitigation measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in a manner that allows schools to open and operate as safely as possible. In consideration of the recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Virginia Department of Health, the Virginia Department of Education, and the Blue Ridge Health District, the School Board adopts this emergency policy for all students, staff, visitors, and vendors, of Albemarle County Public Schools (“ACPS”). This policy also covers children and staff in ACPS child care and school enrichment programs.
Except when a specific exemption applies, students and employees shall wear a mask or acceptable face covering at all times regardless of physical distancing, in an ACPS school building, in another ACPS facility, on a school property or campus, or in an ACPS vehicle or bus.
Frequently Asked Questions on Use of Face Coverings
- Will masks or acceptable face coverings be required in the ACPS?
- Why are face coverings required?
- Who will be required to wear face coverings?
- Will students, staff, and visitors need to bring their own masks or face coverings or will they be provided by the ACPS?
- Will people have to wear face coverings all day?
- Will a student still be required to wear a mask or acceptable face covering at his/her desk even if six (6’) feet of physical distance or other physical distancing measure approved by the ACPS is maintained?
- Will there be exemptions?
- What happens if a child forgets, loses, or damages their face covering?
- What happens when a student refuses to wear a mask or acceptable face covering or continually fails or forgets to bring a mask or acceptable face covering to school, including school transportation?
- What happens when a visitor or vendor refuses to wear a face covering?
- Will face coverings be required everywhere on a school campus?
- Are there any rules regarding the face coverings that students may wear?
- Will face coverings be required on school buses?
- How will this policy be enforced by the ACPS?
- How will the face covering requirement apply to students with special needs?
- Will this policy apply to children and staff in any child care program that the ACPS may operate for its employees in an ACPS school or other facility or other program in an ACPS school or facility?