School District receives many questions on mask mandate
By Paul Hall on Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
ENTERPRISE OR – (Information provided by Enterprise School District) Many questions have come our way in terms of the mandate for wearing masks in our school buildings. Whether or not we agree or not as individuals with the mask mandate, we must follow it. Bottom line, we want to stay open! We want to focus on student learning.
Masks are required inside of our school buildings, with the exception of breakfast, lunch, and snack/water breaks. We will move learning outdoors as much as possible. We will ensure mask breaks are provided.
Oregon schools cannot serve a student in-person if they or their family choose not to wear a face covering. We will be offering an Enterprise District Virtual Academy for the students and families who choose not to wear a face covering.
Our only tool for addressing mask use is education. We will not punish or discipline students. As a district our education will include messages on our morning announcements, messages shared by our teachers, and signage/posters throughout the building.
Students will not be sent to the principal or superintendent for mask refusal, but will be privately reminded of the mandate by staff. Staff and administrators will speak with the students in a respectful and empathetic tone.
If after education and a conference with the staff person, a student refuses to wear a mask in the classroom, teachers will notify administration. Students will be sent to administration. Administration will talk privately with the student and call the parent to discuss and ask for support in following the requirement. We will talk about online learning opportunities available.
After the education and conferences, if the student continues to not wear a mask, we will enroll them in a remote or online program for the term.
