November 20, 2020
Dear Penn-Delco Staff,
As we close American Education Week and head towards Thanksgiving, it is a fitting time for me to THANK YOU for the outstanding efforts and commitment from everyone in following the effective COVID health precautions. When we consider the rate of COVID transmission outside of our school system, and compare that to the exemplary results occurring within our schools, it is a reason to be proud of the effort. Penn-Delco is doing its part!
Our diligence in taking COVID seriously has enabled us to maintain our hybrid offering for nearly two months now. But of course, our work continues, and I write today with an update to share the latest mitigation orders from PA Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine.
With respect to the masking order, there are a few changes of which you should be aware:
- Masks must be worn outdoors if you cannot remain at least six feet away from someone not in your household the entire time you are outdoors.
- Masks must be worn indoors and outdoors if you are aware from home, and this includes our workplaces and school buildings.
- Masks are now required indoors, even if you are more than six feet apart from people not in your household.
In other words, simply wear a mask when in the workplace. I’ve been impressed with your efforts at masking so far and don’t think this will present much of a challenge as most of us are wearing a mask unless we are in a room by ourselves with little to no expectation of an interaction with others.
With regard to the traveler order which went into effect today, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued a mandate to discourage out of state travel to slow the spread of COVID-19. The order requires Pennsylvanians who travel out of the state or country to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result 72 hours prior to their return OR quarantine for 14 days.
“Quarantine” means the separation and restriction of the movement of individuals who may have been exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick while they are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test or within 14 days, whichever is sooner. To be clear, since this is a personal mandate, I do not intend to have the district become an investigatory policing entity on these matters and we will trust in the decisions by our employees with knowledge of the orders.
Exceptions to the Department of Health’s order include traveling routinely for work or other critical purposes, such as medical appointments or to comply with a court order such as custody exchanges. You can find more information here: PA DOH Info for Travelers.
Clearly, the intention of the Commonwealth is to encourage individuals to avoid extended out of state travel. Many find that a tall order to accept, but it is times like these where shared sacrifices, across society, are critical to getting us back to a level of normalcy. If you attend or host an upcoming Holiday gathering, please wear a mask and safely distance yourself from others not in your household. These are reasonable requests of all of us to ensure that everyone does their part and helps continue the momentum we have in PDSD.
Should an employee elect to make a personal decision contrary to the travel ban, the state order requires you to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours prior to your return or quarantine. Those who have been forced to quarantine already will attest that it can present an immediate limiting and negative effect on oneself, their family, their students and potentially colleagues – something to be avoided whenever possible. Absences as a result of quarantines due to personal travel while the travelers order is in effect would require an employee to use their personal sick leave time.
I close with a reminder that if you are exposed to a positive COVID case OR you develop the symptoms listed on the daily symptom check, please follow the district’s health and safety steps prior to returning to work. I empathize with all of us who must celebrate the holidays differently this year because of the pandemic. We can all find some solace in knowing that we are blessed to be part of a community of coworkers, colleagues, and workplace friends who care about each other’s wellbeing.
Most importantly, amidst the limitations we are all dealing with, take stock of the other blessings in our lives and keep your focus on the things that matter most.
Sincerely Yours,
Dr. George Steinhoff
