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Dear Parent/Guardians: I am sure the last thing you want to see in your inbox is another update from the school, especially this close to the start of the year. While I wish this update could have been avoided, as you know, school districts received new guidance on Friday evening that will impact reopening plans. Late Friday we received the following message from the New York State Health Department: Effective immediately, in accordance with the Commissioner's Determination issued pursuant to 10 NYCRR 2.60, any person over the age of 2 (including all students, personnel, teachers, administrators, contractors, and visitors) must wear masks at all times indoors in P-12 school buildings, regardless of vaccination status. People with medical or developmental conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask may be exempted from mask requirements, as documented by a medical provider. People do not need to wear masks when eating, drinking, singing, or playing a wind instrument; when masks are removed for these purposes, individuals must be spaced six feet apart. All mask requirements must be applied consistently with any state and federal law (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act). The State Health Commissioner issued the following directive for Friday's action: After careful review and consideration of CDC recommendations for face coverings/masks in school settings, I hereby adopt such recommendations, imposing them as requirements, where applicable, until this determination is modified or rescinded. Accordingly, universal masking of teachers, staff, students, and visitors to P-12 schools over age two and able to medically tolerate a face covering/mask and regardless of vaccination status, is required until this determination is modified or rescinded. Such a requirement is subject to applicable CDC-recommended exceptions. Many school districts across the state expressed concerns in regards to the physical distancing requirement that was referenced Friday. The 6’ requirement would make in-person learning for ALL students extremely challenging, if not impossible, for many districts. Later Friday evening the Department Of Health posted the actual regulations. The regulations, which customarily have the force and effect of law, make no reference to a six-foot distancing requirement . Nor is it referenced in the Commissioner's directive above. Over the weekend we received the following clarification from the governor's office: “With respect to 6 ft distancing when students are unmasked and performing certain high-risk activities (eating, singing, etc.), DOH is applying the CDC's guidance in this area, including as follows from within the CDC Guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html#physical-distancing “Because of the importance of in-person learning, schools should implement physical distancing to the extent possible within their structures but should not exclude students from in-person learning to keep a minimum distance requirement.” While all this back and forth has been a source of confusion and frustration here is the bottom line in Bloomfield: We will need to adjust our original reopening plan and follow the legally binding regulation which now calls for masks to be worn at all times indoors in P-12 school buildings. This requirement must be met regardless of vaccination status. We will be adjusting our reopening plan to reflect this new requirement and will be reposting our plan on our website. In regards to the recommendation of 6’ of physical distancing while students are participating in activities where they may be unmasked (eating, drinking, singing, playing an instrument); we will be making every effort to maintain that distancing recommendation when students are unmasked. We will be utilizing masks and bell covers in band and chorus when we cannot physically distance students at 6’. In the cafeteria we will be attempting, as best we can, to use 6’ of physical distancing. If we are unable to accomplish that during certain times in the day we will be following the recommendation to cohort students (use assigned tables). I will be releasing a Frequently Asked Questions document on our website later today along with our updated plan. The document addresses questions parents have asked in relation to our plan and will now address those questions given the new regulation we must follow. Thank you again for your patience and understanding. I continue to be excited about being able to welcome all students UPK-12 back on September 7 and I continue to be optimistic that this year will look a bit more normal for students. While some may find the latest regulation we must follow upsetting, I want to choose to find the positive: ALL students are coming back. I have appreciated everyone’s understanding when things have been challenging, I look forward to continuing to work with all of you as we begin the 2021-2022 school year. Thank you for reading, please take care, and as always, let us know if you need anything. Andy Doell

Reopening update

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