Dear Niskayuna families and staff,
In the 2021-22 school year we used a “layered mitigation plan” to carry out a successful school reopening plan and make a full return to in-person instruction. Your partnership has helped us limit the spread and severity of COVID-19 in our community.
Over the last two months, health officials have updated the guidelines to measure COVID-19 community transmission and released updated prevention protocols, including Governor Hochul’s decision to no longer require mask-wearing in schools effective March 2, 2022. According to the Centers for Disease Control’s COVID-19 Community Levels, a tool to help communities determine what prevention steps to take based on the latest data, levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.
These changes mark a new phase in our ongoing efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Consistent with the recommendations of public health authorities, we have updated our COVID-19 protocols. Our plan continues to use a multi-faceted approach to protect the health and safety of students and staff.
- Hygiene protocols
Regular and routine cleaning and increased ventilation will continue. Handwashing with soap and water will be encouraged and hand sanitizer will continue to be available.
- Testing and availability of test kits
Weekly testing for unvaccinated staff is still required. While supplies are available, over-the-counter test kits can be requested by families and staff at the district office and in each school building.
- Isolation for people experiencing symptoms or feeling ill
Students and staff must stay home if they are feeling ill with COVID-like symptoms or otherwise, and anytime they have a fever. Students and staff need to follow our COVID return to school/work protocols.Please visit the links below for what to do when:
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- An individual tests positive for COVID-19
- An individual is experiencing COVID-like symptoms (testing requirements)
- Community notification of positive cases
Elementary Schools will continue classroom-level notifications when we’re aware of a confirmed COVID-19 case in an Elementary School. For all schools, we will post daily updates with the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases by school to the district website and these updates will no longer be sent through ParentSquare. Click here to visit the page with these updates.
- Physical distancing
Physical distancing is no longer required.
- Optional mask-wearing
While masks are now optional in schools, wearing a mask is still mandatory for anyone returning to school or work after testing positive for COVID-19. Anyone can wear a mask at any time. No one will be bullied, harassed, or discouraged from wearing a mask. We will respect each person’s choice as to whether to wear a mask to protect their health or that of their family.
We will continue to work closely with federal, state and local health officials to monitor the level of community transmission and adjust our protocols based on updated health guidance.
Juliette Pennyman, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent of Schools