During his July 13 press conference, Governor Cuomo announced a formula for determining if New York State schools may reopen. The governor said that schools within a given region will reopen if that region is in New York Forward Phase 4 and its daily infection rate remains below 5% (14-day average). Schools will close if the regional infection rate is greater than 9% (7-day average) after August 1.
How schools reopen will be determined according to guidance from the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Education Department. NYSDOH guidance was issued on July 13; NYSED guidance was released late this afternoon. (Both documents are linked under “Resources” on the Reopening webpage.)
School districts are required to submit three, draft reopening plans–100% distance learning, 100% in-person and a hybrid–to NYSED by July 31. Plans are not final until they have been approved by the Board of Regents.
SOCSD’s District Reopening Task Force and subcommittees have been meeting regularly since mid-June to map out reopening concepts and logistics. The administrative team and subcommittees will carefully review state guidance to develop its three reopening plans for submission to NYSED for review by the July 31 deadline. Links to the draft plans will be posted on this page for public viewing by July 31.
School districts expect to receive a final determination from state officials by August 7. However, plans will be subject to change according to shifts in local, state and federal guidelines.
The Board-approved 2020-21 school calendar remains unchanged; the first day of school for SOCSD students is Tuesday, September 8.
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) also issued a statement on July 16 announcing that the start date for fall sports is delayed to September 21 and that regional and state fall championships are canceled. (Document linked under “Resources” on the Reopening webpage.)