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COVID-19 Guidance Around Reopening Will NOT BE Forthcoming

Good Afternoon,

I hope this email finds you all well and enjoying the beautiful summer weather we have been experiencing!  
 
As you are aware, we have anxiously been awaiting guidance from the state to finalize reopening plans for the coming school year. School districts were informed last night that neither the Governor's Office or the New York State Department of Health will be issuing COVID-19 guidance to govern the opening of schools next month.  New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker is recommending that districts follow guidance from the CDC and their local health departments, stating:

"With the end of the state disaster emergency on June 25, 2021, school districts are reestablished as the controlling entity for schools. Schools and school districts should develop plans to open in-person in the fall as safely as possible, and I recommend following guidance from the CDC and local health departments."

For the last several months, superintendents from across our region and the state have been pressing for guidance to allow for school districts and their communities to prepare for in-person learning this fall for ALL students.  Yesterday's announcement that there would be no guidance forthcoming was completely unexpected. As recently as two weeks ago, it was alluded to that guidance from NYSDOH and SED was right around the corner.  That said, given our experience last year within the contextualization of COVID, we have demonstrated our flexibility, resilience, and GRIT as a district and community, and we will do so yet again now.

While a formalized reopening plan is not available to share with you at this time, we are planning based on the following assumptions:
  1. HCS will offer full in-person instruction (five days per week) for all students, grades UPK-12.
  2. Heightened cleaning protocols, hand sanitization, and contact tracing protocols will remain in effect.
  3. School sports will be held according to the three traditional seasons, based on state guidelines.
In the upcoming days, the district will consult internally, with neighboring districts, WFL BOCES, Ontario County Department of Health, our Ontario County Administrator, district physician and legal counsel. We will factor CDC and local health guidelines into decision making. We will move expeditiously, and yet with intentionality, to ensure the safe return of ALL students to in person learning at HCS in September.  It is my hope to share a comprehensive reopening plan with our learning community in the very near future.  

On behalf of the Honeoye Central School District, thank you in advance for your patience and for the ongoing support and partnership in advocacy for all HCS students. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns about the information included in this communication, or otherwise.

Warmest regards,
E. Bridget Ashton

Elizabeth Bridget Ashton
Superintendent, Honeoye Central School District
8528 Main Street
Honeoye, New York 14471
[email protected]
On Twitter: @EBridgetAshton