COVID Rapid Tests for Distribution This Week at HCS Good Morning,Difficult to imagine, but in a mere few days we will have reached February Break! While it has been a year wrought with challenge due to COVID, teaching and learning are still at the forefront of our minds and hearts at Honeoye Central School District. The days are passing quickly and there is much to celebrate and feel PRIDE about at HCS...I am reaching out to the HCS community with a quick COVID related update specific to the distribution of COVID Rapid Test Kits to all HCS families and staff members this week.Masking Mandate Still In Effect thru MarchAs I shared with the community last week, during a press release on 2/9 Governor Hochul indicated that in/by early March they "will make an assessment on protocols based on the latest metrics." Metrics identified for decision making include the following: cases per 100,000, percent positivity, hospital admissions, pediatric hospitalizations, vaccinations, and global trends. Hochul said the state will revisit the question of whether to continue requiring masks in schools in the first week of March, after students have returned to school following break. A factor in the Governor's determination will be transmission rates and as such, there is a concerted plan to distribute test kits to New York State families. Governor Hochul has indicated that the data from tests will help inform the state’s next steps.COVID Rapid Tests for Distribution at HCS This WeekAn additional supply of COVID test kits have been provided by NYSDOH and are currently in district ready for subsequent distribution to our families and staff members by week's end. Please note: We plan to send home a test kit with every student and staff member on Friday, 2/18, unless a family "opts out." Unless you intend to "opt out" of this rapid test kit distribution, you need do nothing in response to this communication. Test kits have been provided for distribution of one kit per student in grades PreK-12. Each test kit contains two rapid tests. DELIVERY: Test kits will be distributed via student back pack on Friday, 2/18/2022, UNLESS a family OPTS OUT of the distribution by 3:00 on Thursday, 2/17 (see below). Elementary students will receive their test kits in their assigned homerooms and secondary students will receive their test kits during eighth period class assignments. Test kits will be distributed to staff members via mailbox and /or by supervisor hand out. To be clear, there is no requirement to test. This initiative is intended to assist parents and educational staff members with access to reliable and quick testing options as part of the solution in keeping schools open. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions about this information or otherwise. It goes without saying that 2021 has been a tough year. If there is anything we can control to make 2022 easier and better at the POUND, we will certainly work to make it happen. Thank you for your continued support of the district and our work in advocacy for HCS students. Be safe and be well!Sincerely,E. Bridget AshtonElizabeth Bridget AshtonSuperintendent, Honeoye Central School District8528 Main StreetHoneoye, New York 14471[email protected]On Twitter: @EBridgetAshton