Posted June 06, 2021

Dear North Shore Community,

On Friday evening I wrote to you about a letter from New York State's Health Commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director, Centers for Disease Control that masks would no longer be required in schools as of Monday, June 7, 2021. I noted that if we received confirmation, we would alter our policy regarding mask compliance, and that until such time, we would follow our current guidelines. This afternoon, I received the following guidance and direction from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) that no changes have been, or will be made by Governor Cuomo until after Monday, June 7, 2021.
The full text of that communication is below. 
Dear Colleagues,
As of September 1, 2020, school districts were permitted to reopen, under Executive Order 202.60, “subject to adherence to Department of Health issued guidance and directives.”  These have included the submission of reopening plans to address, among other things, distancing and health requirements.
SED has been in communication with Executive staff regarding the attached letter from Dr. Howard Zucker, New York State Commissioner of Health.  According to conversations with Executive staff, the intent of this letter was to obtain a response from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding differing standards for summer camps and schools; it has not changed any existing arrangements.  Therefore, schools should continue to operate under their existing procedures until further notice.  No changes have been, or will be, made by the Executive until after Monday June 7 to afford the CDC an opportunity to respond to the letter.
As a result, the following protocols will remain in place and we will await further direction from NYSED, the Department of Health, and/or Governor Cuomo. 

• While indoors, all individuals able to medically tolerate face coverings must wear face coverings at all times, except while eating or drinking.
• While OUTDOORS ONLY, all individuals should continue to wear face coverings, except for students and staff who are unable to tolerate face coverings due to physical activity and/or other activities. In such circumstances, students and staff should seek to maintain six feet of physical distance.  We are fully aware that mask wearing will be difficult to tolerate in the heat, and thus, students and staff will be able to remove their masks while outdoors if they find themselves unable to tolerate them. Our principals will communicate this flexibility to faculty and staff under these described circumstances in preparation for our time with students tomorrow. 
• As needed, individuals may access more frequent and/or prolonged mask breaks while maintaining six feet of physical distance.
• I am keenly aware of the importance of this issue to so many of you on all sides and value the various perspectives that exist. Along with the Board of Education and administration, families and students are anxious for clear direction. That said, the direction from NYSED, which is our governing body, is clear at least for tomorrow, Monday, June 7, 2021. As always, I will keep you informed. If a change is indeed authorized, we will reconvene our stakeholders to discuss any possible changes to our existing reopening plan.

In closing, as a community of people who ultimately and always care for the health and wellbeing of one another, I ask for your respect of the various perspectives that exist within the community and your patience as we receive more clarity on this matter in the days ahead. Ultimately, as your Superintendent of Schools, my sole objective here is to make informed decisions that ensure the health and safety of all of our students, faculty, and staff.  Specific questions about your child should be directed to your child's teacher or principal so that we can most effectively and efficiently support their individual needs. This has been a most challenging year and we are almost there.
Enjoy the remainder of your weekend and let's all commit to staying #VikingStrong as we work through this- together!

Sincerely,