November 10, 2021

Earlier today, Commonwealth Court Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon ordered that Pennsylvania’s school mask mandate is “void and unenforceable.” 

Therefore, effective immediately, the York Suburban School District will revert back to the Health and Safety Plan that was in place when the mask mandate went into effect. The applicable language in the plan is listed below for your review.

YSSD policy will be to require masks in all buildings where students age 11 and under attend classes until such time as availability and uptake can occur for one or more vaccines for the younger school-age group, specifically until six weeks have passed following the issuance of an emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for one or more vaccines for COVID-19 for the 5-11 age group. All York Suburban students will wear masks while on the school bus, be it to or from school or extra-curricular events.

The chart included in this letter illustrates the masking requirements that will be in place starting now and lasting through December 10, 2021.

Beginning on December 11, 2021, masking will be optional for all students and staff due to the language in the Health and Safety Plan tied to the issuance of an emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) relative to students aged 5-11. December 11, 2021, marks six weeks after the emergency use authorization was issued by the FDA for this age group.

Due to the language in the plan related to transportation, all students will still be required to wear a mask after December 10, 2021, while using District-provided transportation to and from school and extracurricular events.

There is the possibility that today’s ruling will be appealed, which could affect the details in this letter. As always, we will keep you informed of any new developments. Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility.