Avon Community:
Here are a few updates…
COVID Updates -
Case Information - There was one additional COVID positive case during the week. We learned of a staff member who tested positive. This staff member was last in attendance on 5/10/21. The collective contact tracing did not identify any additional school-related contacts.
Pending Updates - As you are aware, the guidance regarding COVID management continues to change and evolve. The most recent comprehensive school guidance was released in April and required stakeholder feedback. Since that time, ACS has taken the following steps...
- Immediately reviewed the guidance,
- Communicated with the LCDOH and our school physician,
- Conversed with regional schools,
- Expanded regular dialogue with the LCDOH and regional schools,
- Processed the April guidance as a COVID Opening Team,
- Gathered feedback from staff, students, parents, and the community,
- Assessed both the feedback and the guidance in order to formulate the recommendations,
- Reviewed and shared the recommendations with Avon’s COVID Opening Planning Team (parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, and nurses), the Leadership Team, and the Board of education, and
- We are currently seeking additional feedback from the LCDOH and our school physician regarding our proposed changes as a final check before sharing and implementing.
We anticipate that we will be able to communicate updated information about processes and procedures next week. We thank the 385 individuals who sent feedback for our consideration. The progress is exciting. We are working hard to be sure that our actions are in alignment with agreed upon expectations.
Please keep in mind, the CDC guidance and the NYS guidance are not on the same page regarding all measures, masks in particular. We are hopeful that the NYS guidance will soon again mirror the information from the CDC so long as the health experts feel it is reasonably safe. The CDC, just yesterday, reduced masking requirements in many indoor and outdoor spaces for vaccinated individuals. While this is an exciting sign of progress, it is not consistent with expectations for schools. Plus, the vaccines are not required, they are not available for all ages, and it will surely be very difficult to manage this allowance. Most importantly, our state has established different guidance at this time.
Again, we are hopeful that NYS guidance and recommendations from the CDC will soon be in better alignment.
Vaccines -- We are told doses continue to be available at CVS.
- The LCDOH is developing plans for additional administration to individuals who are 12 and older who wish to be vaccinated.
- We pass this health related public service announcement (vaccine toolkit) on to you on behalf of the LCDOH. https://5il.co/spxr
Changes to the Instructional Calendar:
Memorial Day - As was previously communicated, there will be no school on Friday, May 28th.
Juneteenth - The Avon BOE unanimously approved a change to this year's instructional calendar in order to allow for the honoring of Juneteenth, a day to honor the official end of slavery. The day will be honored on Friday, June 18th this year. Going forward, Juneteenth will be an officially recognized holiday in New York State.
Last Week of School - Consistent with established patterns with Avon, the schedule for K-8 students will be adjusted for the last week of school in the following ways:
Wednesday, June 23rd will be a half day for students in K-8
Thursday, June 24th will be a half day for students in K-8 (last day for students)
Friday, June 25th will be the last day for staff
Year-end Traditions and Celebrations - Building Principals will be sending additional information regarding traditions and ceremonies that may take place at each school for the end of the year.
Click here to go to the Updated School Calendar
Thank you.