NYSED to Release Guidance for Reopening of Schools Good Morning,I hope you are all enjoying this balmy August day. I am reaching out this morning to share a brief update specific to our planning for reopening this fall. The Honeoye Central School District, along with the superintendents from each school district in Ontario County, has worked alongside the Ontario County Administration and Public Health as well as our legal teams and school physicians to draft reopening plans. These plans have been created and endorsed by all parties. This morning, New York State Education Department (NYSED) Commissioner, Betty Rosa, informed schools across New York State that SED will be releasing school reopening guidance. In a communication to all schools, Commissioner Rosa indicated that SED is developing a summary guidance document, founded on CDC guidelines and guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, to assist schools in their preparation for launching the 2021-22 school year. Rosa further states: "We anticipate the forthcoming guidance will address questions around the wearing of masks, social distancing, remote learning, transportation, community transmission tracking and potential funding sources available to schools and districts that may help with preparing for the upcoming school year and beyond. The overall goal for the 2021-2022 school year is to maximize in-person teaching and learning, be responsive to student needs, and keep students and staff healthy and safe. The Department is committed to advocating for all the resources necessary to make this happen and mobilizing technical assistance to school districts as they address these issues locally, consistent with CDC guidelines." In light of this news, HCS will press pause on rolling out our tentative reopening plan. Given that SED possesses oversight authority for schools, it is prudent for our district to await this guidance to ensure that provisions of our reopening plan draft are in accordance with the SED guidance. While there is not a timeline for NYSED to release such guidance, we will impress upon them the urgency for sharing this information with school leaders across the state. 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 AshtonElizabeth Bridget AshtonSuperintendent, Honeoye Central School District8528 Main StreetHoneoye, New York 14471[email protected]On Twitter: @EBridgetAshton