JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Effective Sept. 7, Duval County Public Schools students must wear a face covering that covers both their nose and mouth while inside a school facility, according to a new mask policy implemented Monday night.
If a student has a medical, physical or psychological condition that prevents them from wearing a mask, parents or guardians can opt them out by providing medical certification.
LINK: DCPS mask medical opt-out form
The emergency mandate lasts for 90 days. Students who do not follow the guidelines might be charged with a code of conduct infraction.
Students are expected to wear their mask at all times with the exception of eating and during outdoor activities.
Here are the potential disciplinary consequences, according to DCPS:
1st Occurrence
- School will provide a face mask to the student
- Student will complete “Face Mask Safety Contract with Mask Expectation” (requires student and parent signature)
2nd Occurrence
- Student sent to discipline office
- Student coded for “1.06 Nonconformity to General Code of Appearance”
- Parent contacted
- Parent conference (virtual or in-person)
3rd Occurrence
- Student sent to discipline office
- Student coded for “2.01 Failure to Adhere to Safety Consideration”
- In-school suspension (1-2 days)
4th Occurrence
- Student sent to discipline office
- Student coded for 2nd “2.01 Failure to Adhere to Safety Consideration”
- Out-of-school suspension (1-3 Days); Parent conference encouraged