Dear Parents/Guardians,
 
The New York State Department of Health and the New York State Education Department issued a guidance document to help school districts in addressing issues related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). A copy of the full document can be viewed here .  I also wanted to bring to your attention specific sections from the document.  These sections can be found below.  
 
These guidelines likely will continue to change.  As a result, I remain committed to providing you updates as appropriate. Please contact your building principal should you have any questions or concerns. 
 
Excerpts from the Joint Memo from the NYS Dept. of Health and NYS Education Dept. for Your Immediate Consideration
 
TRAVEL - Subheading in Guidance Memo: Travel Related Considerations for Schools
NYS DOH currently recommends:
Students and faculty returning from currently impacted countries or regions of impacted countries will be required to be under precautionary quarantine for 14 days upon return. This includes school sponsored travel or individual travel (spring break).
 
CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID-19 STUDENTS/STAFF - Subheading in Guidance Memo: Guidance for Schools with Identified Cases of COVID-19 in Their Community
The local health department will notify schools if and when a school must close due to COVID-19 and when a school can reopen. School administrators should work in close collaboration and coordination with the state and local health officials to close school and/or cancel large events. Schools are not expected to make decisions about closing or canceling events due to COVID-19 on their own.
 
When a student or staff member attended school prior to being confirmed as a COVID-19 case, New York State Department of Health requires an initial 24-hour closure, in order to begin an investigation to determine the contacts that the individual may have had within the school environment.
 
In addition, students and staff who are well but are taking care of, or share a home with, someone with a case of COVID-19 must not attend school and must follow precautionary quarantine instructions from State health officials, who will determine when it is safe for them to return to school.
 
Schools should work with the state and local health departments to communicate the possible COVID-19 exposure. This communication to the school community should align with the communication plan in the school's emergency operations plan. In such a circumstance, it is critical to maintain confidentiality of the student or staff member as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
 
Sincerely yours,
 
Raymond Sanchez