Dear BKW parents/community,
As you are aware, the statewide universal mask mandate for schools was lifted as of March 2, 2022. This means that the majority of students, staff and school visitors are no longer required to wear a mask in our school buildings or school buses. Individual choice when it comes to mask use is to be respected.
Although things continue to evolve, the BKW administrative team has reviewed recent guidance from the New York State Department of Health. While the mask requirement has changed, the following health and safety protocols remain in place:
- Regardless of vaccination status, if a student tests positive for COVID-19 he or she must isolate for a full five days. Students may return to school after day five if they are asymptomatic or if symptoms are resolving. For days 6-10 following a positive test, students are required to wear a mask in school, including on the school bus.
- If a student has been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, it is highly recommended they wear a mask for a full 10 days following that exposure.
- State officials continue to recommend testing for COVID-19 following a possible exposure. COVID-19 tests are available at school for anyone who wants one. If you need a test, please contact your child’s school nurse.
Further COVID-19 guidance can be found in the documents below:
- NYS Department of Health updated guidance – March, 2022
- School guidance Frequently Asked Questions – March, 2022
Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home from school, regardless of vaccination status or recent infection, until tested and/or isolate for five days. If your student has symptoms and you aren’t sure what to do, or if you need a COVID-19 test kit, contact your child’s school nurse.
We remain committed to keeping our students in school, while providing a safe learning environment for all. We will continue to follow a tiered mitigation strategy to prevent the spread of illness in our schools and on our buses. This includes enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures and improved ventilation, in addition to providing free at-home COVID- 19 testing kits to our families and staff.
We will also continue to report positive COVID cases in our buildings on a weekly basis with a Parent Square notification. In most situations, this will involve a general notification alerting staff and families that there was a positive case in a particular class or school. In other cases, the identification of close contacts may be warranted. In these cases, we will provide the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19 testing, quarantine and isolation for those most closely impacted.
Please also note that BKW school administrators will begin to allow visitors to each school who have been asked to support an event, as well as plan for any requested end of the year field trips and coordinate end of the year events.
As always, we remain in close contact with state and local health officials and are committed to providing staff and families with clear, updated information on the latest health and safety guidance.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work to keep our students and staff healthy, and our students in school.
Sincerely,
Dr. Timothy Mundell
Superintendent of Schools