Update on Navigating DOH Guidelines Good Afternoon, I hope you all are enjoying the blue skies and return to warmer temperatures! I am reaching out this afternoon to thank the families and community members who participated in our Town Hall meetings on Wednesday, 9/23/2020. On behalf of the HCS learning community, we could not feel more appreciative of your insights, feedback, and support of the district. I am happy to report that there were no significant concerns raised during these meetings and that we agreed to reconnect at the conclusion of the first ten week marking period, UNLESS there are significant updates in the Reopening Guidance from SED or DOH. As such, we will progress monitor how things are going for students and families again on November 10, 2020. More information and access information will be shared with our families as the date grows closer. In the meantime, should you have any questions, concerns or observations to share, please do not hesitate to reach out to our respective leadership team members and/or to me. Update on Navigating DOH Guidelines, Submitted by Marybeth Tonkery Thank you for your continued understanding and support while we manage the NYSDOH guidelines, HCS policies and the safety of our students and staff. I want to update families on this ever-changing situation called COVID-19. In discussions with the Ontario County Health Department and Superintendent Ashton, moving forward, the following protocols will take place that are different from past email communications or recent practices. Please note that we can be directed at any time by the NYSDOH and/or OCDOH to adhere to changes in the guidelines. Moving Forward: If your child is sent home or stays home due to COVID-19 symptoms and receives a Negative test result, your child can return as long as they have no fever for 24 hours (without a fever reducing medication) and their symptoms have improved. If your child is sent home or absent with COVID-like symptoms, siblings will NOT be required to be sent home or stay home. In the meantime, keep other siblings away from the symptomatic child as much as possible. If any other siblings begin to exhibit symptoms, please keep them home and follow the guidance of an MD note and a COVID negative test result to return for them as well. Please note, depending on a known exposure to anyone in the family or any differentiating circumstances you could be asked to keep siblings home. Huge shout out to our School Nurse, Marybeth Tonkery, for her diligence, patience, kindness, and commitment to the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. In the event you have any questions relative to the above information, please reach out directly to Marybeth Tonkery at [email protected]. Thank you ALL for your unwavering support of HCS and the work that we do in advocacy of students. I am grateful for each day with students and staff back in district and could not feel more proud to serve as a Bulldog. HAPPY FRIDAY! Warmest regards to each and every member of our HCS community, Bridget Ashton