Hampton School District welcomed its students back for the first day of classes on Thursday.
At Central Elementary, several members of the faculty and staff were on hand to greet students as they hopped off the buses.
There was typical first-day excitement among many of the youngsters as they waved to teachers and showed off new bookbags.
Director of Support Services Melissa Evans helped guide the students by boarding each bus as it arrived and directing the children where to go once inside the school.
As approved by the school board earlier this week, all students in kindergarten through 12th grade, along with faculty and visitors, are required to wear masks indoors.
“I recognize the passion of parents and community members regarding the health and safety of their children,” Superintendent Michael Loughead said.
“However, as Superintendent, I trust the guidance provided by public health experts, specifically the Allegheny County Health Department and the CDC, in our decision to require universal masking.”
At the high school and middle school, if Allegheny County is determined to dip back into the moderate or low transmission status of covid-19, the district will consult county experts and reevaluate the policy.
The same will happen at the elementary schools during a low transmission status.
“I believe indoor mask-wearing for K-12 schools is a prudent recommendation that we need to take at this time,” Loughead said. “We will monitor changes in Allegheny County, in addition to updated CDC guidance, and remain flexible in making adjustments as necessary regarding masking.”
Mask breaks will be given to students throughout the day.
School officials are hoping to reduce the number of students required to quarantine and keep children in class by mandating mask-wearing, Loughead said.
