Face Coverings & PPE

Essential Information

Per the CDC, masks are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. As part of our safety guidance, we are requiring everyone to wear a mask who enters our buildings and who rides on district provided transportation.

All Tulsa Public School employees are required to wear a mask or cloth face-covering that meets the requirements outlined below at all times while inside school buildings except where otherwise noted below. Tulsa Public School employees are also required to wear a mask or cloth face-covering when they are outside the building and unable to maintain at least 6 feet of social distance.

Employees who wish to eat or drink may remove their mask to do so, provided they are situated at least six feet away from others, perform the necessary hand hygiene, and immediately replace the mask when they are done.  We encourage staff to continue to practice social distancing when possible even when wearing a mask. 

Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. If you believe wearing a face mask places your health or safety at risk, please contact your supervisor immediately as you may be entitled to an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  The Talent Management team will engage with you in an interactive process in order to make the determination. It should be noted that medical accommodations for a mask wearing exemption will generally be limited to individuals suffering from severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as what might be seen with cystic fibrosis, severe emphysema, heart failure, or significant facial burns that would cause extreme pain or interfere with the healing of a skin graft. Mild or intermittent respiratory or other common conditions such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease, or other similar conditions will generally not be considered for a mask wearing exemption due to the safety risks associated with not wearing a mask.