Hampton elementary students will have to wear masks when school starts later this month, if the school board approves the current proposal during its meeting Monday.

The board is expected to approve a health and safety plan during its 7:30 p.m. meeting in the middle school auditorium, 4589 School Drive.

“In consideration of guidance from the CDC and in consultation with the Allegheny County Health Department, the district is currently proposing students, staff and visitors participate in required mask-wearing at the elementary school level,” Superintendent Dr. Michael Loughead.

The first day of school is Aug. 26.

Under the proposed plan, the district will strongly recommend mask-wearing for unvaccinated students, staff and visitors at the middle and high school levels.

Loughead said the district is continuing to explore an appropriate masking policy for sixth graders — who attend the middle school — “as they are largely unvaccinated and have limited access to the vaccine.”

Masks are required by the CDC to be worn on all district transportation.

The board will lean on guidance from health experts amid the fluid covid-19 rates throughout the county.

Numbers have changed rapidly over the past two weeks, with the county on Aug. 2 moving into the substantial level of transmission.

According to recently updated masking guidelines, the CDC recommends that everyone — including those who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus — wear masks indoors in counties where transmission is substantial or high.

The district will welcome students for five-day-per-week in-person instruction, in addition to offering the Hampton Online Academy, according to Communications Specialist Zachary D’Amico.

Families will be able to switch between educational models at the end of each nine-week grading period.

D’Amico said the district will implement 3 feet of physical distancing to the fullest extent possible at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

“Students will be encouraged and provided with opportunities for hand-washing during specific times of the school day,” he said.

In addition, classrooms and common areas will be ventilated with additional outdoor air circulation when possible, using windows and doors.

Filtration systems have been upgraded in high-occupancy areas throughout the district with the addition of a bipolar air ionization unit.

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