Bucks County Technical HS Considers New Masking Requirements

John Fey
Updated ·2 min read

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA — The Administrative Director of Bucks County Technical High School released a statement through the school regarding potential new masking requirements on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

Leon Poeske, Ed.D., sent out a letter addressed to students, parents, staff, and the other members of the school community regarding his recommendation on the matter.

"Given the unprecedented cases of COVID and its impact on in-person learning, I will be recommending to the school’s Joint Board Committee that BCTHS adopt a mask requirement for anyone while inside BCTHS," Poeske said in the letter.

Poeske points to an uptick in recent COVID-19 cases throughout Bucks County as the reason for his recommendation. The high school has seen a large number of cases, with 244 recorded COVID cases reported since Sept. 3 of 2021.

The impact more breakouts would have, according to Poeske, would lead to further shortages of teachers in the high school, leading to more cancelations of in-person learning and/or more transitions to online/hybrid learning.

In the letter, Poeske listed all aspects of his recommendations to the high school, including:

  • wear masks while inside schools;

  • get vaccinated (and a booster when possible);

  • keep socially distant where possible;

  • wash hands frequently; and,

  • stay home if you feel sick or if you are awaiting COVID results.

Students are still required to wearing face masks on buses as part of a federal regulation.

"As mentioned, the goal of BCTHS is to continue having in-person learning with as few COVID absences and disruptions as possible," Poeske continued in the letter.

"Everyone’s help in following the health agencies’ recommendations gives the school its best chance of keeping students and staff in the building."

A decision on the recommendation will be voted on at an upcoming Board meeting, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 24.

This article originally appeared on the Levittown Patch