Superintendent’s Community Update, April 13, 2021

Dear Hastings Families, Faculty and Staff,

Late last Friday, the New York State Department of Health provided updated guidance found here about reducing six feet of physical distance to three feet in classrooms among children. In addition, physical barriers are no longer recommended by the CDC as a mitigation strategy. Before reducing six feet of physical distance to three feet, feedback must be obtained from parents, teachers, administrators, staff, and the local department of health to assess the “community’s risk tolerance”. Please complete this short survey about reducing physical distance among children in classrooms from six feet to three feet without barriers.

The Westchester districts requested the Westchester County Department of Health identify a metric that helps us decide what constitutes low and moderate risk, substantial risk, and high risk which influences the decision related to reducing physical distance in classrooms. The Westchester County Department of Health will also clarify some other details in the new guidance. Districts are not changing course until these clarifications are provided.

The guidance provided since Friday’s community update is as follows:

This is the Interim Guidance for in-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency referenced above.
The COVID 19 Travel Advisory stipulates that international travelers are no longer required to quarantine.
In terms of being fully vaccinated, an individual is fully immune two weeks after their final dose. Full immunity lasts for three months after the last dose in the vaccine series. However, New York State is in the process of extending this period consistent with the CDC guidance.
Rules for large end of year gatherings including celebrations, moving up ceremonies, and graduations were provided. Building administrators will be reviewing this information to plan and organize these events.

I’ll share new details, if they are available, in Friday’s community update. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.

Sincerely,

Valerie Henning-Piedmonte, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools