Dear WPSD Community:

The William Penn School District is committed to the safety of our students, staff members, and community. Since the start of the Pandemic, we have been monitoring the positive COVID-19 cases in our schools and in Delaware County, and have adjusted our Health and Safety Plan as positive cases, guidance from the CDC, and recommendations from health officials have evolved.

Positive COVID-19 cases in our schools have decreased significantly in February and March. There were 10 positive cases in February and six positive cases in March as of March 25, 2022. In addition, the community transmission level in Delaware County is listed as low, and case rates are at the moderate level.

For the reasons listed above, and in alignment with the CDC’s updated masking guidance that universal indoor mask wearing in K-12 schools in areas with a low or medium COVID-19 community level is no longer recommended, the William Penn School District Administration has recommended a revision to the Health and Safety Plan.

Effective Monday, April 4, 2022, wearing facial masks will be optional in all William Penn School District buildings. In the event Delaware County returns to high COVID-19 Community Levels and/or COVID-19 related cases rise within the district, the Administration has the ability to reinstate “Universal Masking” as a mitigation effort.

In addition, employees and contractors will no longer be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or submit to weekly testing. However, antigen tests are available for employees, contractors, and students who would like to be tested in school.

As a reminder, students and staff are not required to wear face masks on school district buses or vans. Additionally, as a best practice to mitigate the spread of the virus, we continue to encourage vaccination, frequent hand-washing and respiratory etiquette.

Take care and remain safe.

Eric J. Becoats, Ed.D.
Superintendent