Posted June 06, 2021

Dear North Shore Parents, Faculty, and Community Members,

This afternoon, Governor Cuomo issued the following guidance regarding the use of masks in public schools.  The full text of his communication is below for your review.

For Immediate Release: 6/7/2021 GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO
GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN ALLOW STUDENTS TO REMOVE MASKS OUTDOORS 
  Guidance on Mask Use Indoors Remains in Place 
  Change Aligns Summer Camp Guidance with School Guidance 
  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that school districts can choose to lift the requirement that their students must wear masks outdoors. Guidance on mask use indoors remains in place. This change aligns New York State's guidance on schools with CDC guidance on summer camps, where even unvaccinated students are not currently required to wear masks outdoors. 

  "The numbers show that the risk of transmission by children is extremely low, especially in this state, which has an extremely low positivity rate. We spoke with the CDC, and since they're not going to change their guidance for several weeks in New York State, we're going to modify the CDC guidance and allow schools to choose no mask outside for children," Governor Cuomo said. "We'll leave that up to the local school district and we spoke to the CDC, which has no objection. It's very important that people understand the logic between these decisions and that they're rational and based on the science and the data. We have a disconnect right now between the school guidance and the camp guidance, and it's important to rectify it because if people don't think the rules are logical, then they're not going to want to follow the rules." 
  On May 24, Governor Cuomo announced that based on the current COVID trajectory, all New York State schools will reopen for full in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year beginning in September.  

Per this new guidance, effective tomorrow, June 8, 2021, during any and all outdoor activities only, masks will be optional for all students and staff. As you will see, masks will continue to be required indoors through the end of this academic year. As has been our practice, mask and hydration breaks will be provided as needed to any student who needs it.  As we move forward, we will work with our students and families to be respectful of the decisions that they make with regard to mask wearing outdoors.  As always, if you have a specific question or concern about your child's experience, please do not hesitate to reach out to their teacher or principal so that we may best support them.
Thank you for your patience as we have worked through the changing guidance over these past several days.

Regards,

Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools