Due to a mechanical issue (well pump) in the school building, the DAMASCUS AREA SCHOOL will operate on a Flexible Instruction Day (FID – virtual learning) on Friday, February 13, 2026.
Damascus students should not report to school on this day. Instead, they will complete their instructional activities and assignments from home via remote learning. It is anticipated that the mechanical issue will be resolved and school will resume normal procedures on Tuesday - February 17, 2026, following the holiday weekend.
This communication DOES NOT impact any other Wayne Highlands school. All schools, other than Damascus, will operate normally (to include transportation), on Friday - February 13, 2026.
Important Notice: Commonwealth Court Decision on Masking Order
Important Notice: Commonwealth Court Decision on Masking Order
Earlier today, the Commonwealth Court issued a ruling voiding Acting Secretary Beam’s school mask order. However, we have received word that the state is planning on filing an appeal sometime today, which will trigger a stay of the Court’s ruling and keep the order in effect. Currently, we have not heard if the appeal and resulting stay have been finalized.If the appeal is filed, schools will be required to continue to observe the school masking order throughout the duration of the court’s proceedings.
In the meantime, the last Board approved Health and Safety Plan will be in effect.That plan will be reviewed at the next scheduled Board meeting, at which time the Board will make a decision on how to proceed.Until then and as per the Health and Safety Plan, since we remain in the High Level of Community Transmission the school masking requirement will remain in effect. As a result, masks/face coverings are required in all school buildings, on all on district-provided transportation and at all indoor school events, to include Parent Conferences scheduled for Thursday, November 11, 2021.