Dear Avon,
Yesterday’s SchooMessenger expressed that we would be monitoring information and sending an update today. There are two basic categories of information to be addressed: 1) The Friday Afternoon Press Release and 2) Mask Requirements as a Result of Local Factors. What follows is a brief summary of each.
1) The Friday Afternoon Press Release - some have interpreted this information, including the letter from Dr. Zucker, as a change in guidance from the NYSDOH. This is factually incorrect. It was simply a communication from the NYSDOH to the CDC. The New York State Education Department, the NYS Executive (Governor's Office), the New York State School Boards Association, regional superintendents, and multiple law firms specializing in school law are clear and uniform in their position that the letter on Friday does NOT constitute updated guidance, regardless of what headlines expressed.
In fact, in an email communication at 1:43 P.M. today, schools have been directed by NYSED Commissioner Rosa to continue as we have under current guidance. Here's the full text of Commissioner Rosa’s email:
As such we will not be making substantive changes to our school’s COVID plan as there has been NO guidance issued from the NYSDOH. If/When new guidance is issued, we are prepared to move quickly to assess the information and explore changes to our practices.
2) Mask Requirements as a Result of Local Factors - Within the current NYSDOH guidance, we are able to address the need for adjusting our mask expectations in response to the heat indexes and classroom environmental temperatures that often impact our students and staff during this month of June. Current NYSDOH Interim Guidance for School Reopening states on page 9, "students who are unable to medically tolerate a mask, including students where such mask would impair their physical health or mental health are not subject to the required use of a mask." As we've moved through our successful year and are now open 5-days/week, we've been able to meet the needs of our students, families, and staff with a common sense approach to our practices.
Starting tomorrow, we are clarifying our interpretation of existing guidance and our current plan, due to the excess heat & humidity and elevated classroom environmental temperatures that we are experiencing, and will continue to experience through the end of this school year. We continue to encourage families to alert our school nurses of medical conditions that may impact your student(s).
Students and Staff are Able to Remove Masks When:
Outside on school property during recess, a class experience, or during physical education classes, end of the year events, and in competition. Physical distancing should continue to be implemented when practicable and appropriate and the temperature is greater than 70 degrees, and
Inside our school classrooms when seated and physically distant (at least 3 feet) and the temperature is greater than 70 degrees.
Masks are to be Worn By Students and Staff When:
Riding the school bus,
Transitioning in the hallways, and
When physical distance cannot be preserved.
Nothing in this communication prohibits students and staff from wearing masks. Harassment of others based on whether or not they are wearing masks will not be tolerated. Please talk to your children about the importance of refraining from making comments to others if they choose to wear a mask or not wear a mask. Please Note: The use of masks is always explored in contact tracing efforts. In short, the more time spent without a mask the more possible it becomes that a person may need to quarantine.
This has been confusing, just today the online D & C listed contradictory headlines. One headline read the rules are changing and another said there are no changes yet. Despite the news stories, there is no change to NYSDOH Guidance for schools. When updated guidance is provided to schools, we will review changes, consider potential improvements to our plans, and communicate those changes with you. Until then, all are encouraged to continue to think of others first. If there are simple things that can be done to help others to feel more comfortable in this crisis, then please continue to interact with others with a generous spirit.
Thank you for your resilience.