Dear parents/guardians,
On Friday afternoon, New York State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker issued a letter informing the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that the state would ease the mask requirements in schools as early as Monday, June 7 unless the CDC advises the state before Monday it should not take this action.
It is important to note that Commissioner Zucker’s letter to the CDC is not a formal guidance document from New York state. As of right now, public schools have not received any definitive guidance on this topic from the state. We have been informed today by the New York State Department of Education that the letter has not changed any existing arrangements and therefore, schools should continue to operate under their existing procedures until further notice.
As the days grow warmer, I am encouraging administrators and staff to allow students to continue to take mask breaks, but at a more frequent and longer duration. Students will be allowed to take their masks off outside when they are six feet apart.
We will continue to monitor this situation, and like our journey together throughout the pandemic, the situation remains fluid. We will keep you updated if we receive official guidance from New York state.
Thank you for your continued partnership. We are in the homestretch and look forward to the close of another memorable school year. I am so proud to be a Spartan!
Sincerely,
Kyle L. Gannon
Superintendent of Schools