You may have learned that the long-anticipated guidance from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) will not be forthcoming. New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker stated, “With the end of the state disaster emergency on June 25, 2021, school districts are re-established as the controlling entity for schools. Schools and school districts should develop plans to open in-person in the fall as safely as possible, and I recommend following guidance from the CDC and local health departments.”
In addition, State Education Department Commissioner Dr. Betty Rosa informed school districts that CDC guidelines should be the basis of preparing for the 2021-22 school year. Despite the lack of guidance from the NYSDOH, Valley Central has developed a plan based on the CDC Guidelines and the American Association of Pediatrics Guidance for Safe Schools, as advised by the Commissioner of Education. Valley Central will return to full in-person learning for all of our students in grades K-12 on September 2, 2021. We will follow social distancing protocols of three feet, wherever possible, to accommodate all of our students in their classrooms.
We will not offer an optional remote learning platform; however, we will support our students with remote learning in cases of quarantine.
There are additional details in our plan that address health and safety issues.
The District worked in collaboration with our Back to School Task Force, our district nurse coordinator, district physician, and Board of Education concerning these details. The plan was emailed to you and can be found on our District website.
This plan will be discussed at our BOE meeting on August 23rd and questions will be addressed.
I look forward to welcoming students and staff back to the 2021-2022 school year. I am confident that despite any challenges we may face, this will be a successful school year for the Valley Central School District.