Sent. via SchoolMessenger on December 30, 2021
I hope that you and your families have had a restful recess.
As you know, our region is in the midst of yet another pandemic surge. Our District’s contact tracing team has been working around the clock since mid-November as reported cases have climbed in our school community.
Thankfully, our current staffing levels are sufficient to support a districtwide, in-person return to school on January 3, as scheduled. However, we continue to assess the staffing impact of this latest surge with each new case report and will keep you informed should circumstances change.
In the meantime:
- Mandatory indoor masking for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, and physical distancing remain in effect. In addition, our administrative team is reviewing all upcoming events, gatherings and meetings for the purpose of determining whether events can be postponed or conducted virtually.
- It is critically important that individuals who are experiencing any COVID symptoms stay home and consult their health care provider or school nurse before returning to school. Even symptoms that seem mild–like the common cold–must be taken seriously to prevent transmission.
- Individuals who are awaiting COVID test results should remain at home, even if they are asymptomatic. Students who are asymptomatic and are either awaiting test results or are isolating after testing positive are eligible to participate remotely.* Please send an email to covidreporting@socsd.org and allow one full business day for remote learning to begin.
- Instructions on how to report a COVID case are posted here.
- New York State has committed to providing rapid tests for school districts statewide. Local superintendents are meeting with the Rockland County Department of Health on January 6 to discuss forthcoming “Test to Stay” guidance. Once a plan has been established, we will communicate to students, staff and families.
We are all eager for this pandemic to end. Until then, we must continue to rely on each other to keep our school community safe and healthy.
*Remote learning is not provided for students who are absent due to illness or travel as the District is operating on a full-time, in-person basis.