Posted February 21, 2021

Dear North Shore Parents, Faculty, and Community Members,
I am excited to welcome our students, faculty and staff back to school tomorrow, and I hope that everyone had a restful break. We have an exciting week ahead, including the final week of our winter athletics season. I’m particularly excited that News 12 will cover our Men’s Basketball game tomorrow against my alma mater, the Wantagh High School Warriors.  Go Vikings, Go!!

Please remember that if you traveled, you must follow the quarantine rules established by Governor Cuomo.  For any traveler to New York State from a noncontiguous state, US territory or CDC level 2 and higher country, the new guidelines for travelers to test-out of the mandatory 10-day quarantine are below and can be found by clicking here: 

• For travelers who were out-of-state for more than 24 hours:

o   Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure, prior to arrival in New York.
o   The traveler must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days.
o   On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain another COVID test. If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.
 
·       For travelers who were out-of-state for less than 24 hours:
o   The traveler does not need a test prior to their departure from the other state and does not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State.
o   However, the traveler must fill out our traveler form upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID diagnostic test 4 days after their arrival in New York.

·       If you are returning from one of five contiguous states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont), there is no testing/quarantine requirement.

As was reported in various news outlets today, we are aware of a single case of a new variant of the COVID-19 virus that is present within our community. We will monitor these developments closely in consultation with the Department of Health. In addition, all of our schools will ensure that our current practices remain diligently followed. As is our normal practice, face coverings, physical distancing of six feet, and the avoidance of gatherings will be strictly followed.  Please be sure to complete your child’s health attestation no later than 7:00 a.m., and please keep your child home if they are showing any symptoms or not feeling well.

Please be sure to report any positive cases to the health office of your child’s school.  In the meantime, we have a terrific opportunity in front of us to make sure that we keep infection rates low. Our patience and diligence now will lead to more positive outcomes as we move ever closer to spring.  Stay healthy, be well, and notice the good.

I’m looking forward to our return. 

Best regards,

Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools