New Rochelle Schools Will Be In-Person, Masks Required For All

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle public school students will return to the classroom with no option for remote learning and masks will be required for all students and teachers.

Remote learning will not be offered in the 2021-2022 school year, but school officials left open the possibility of reassessing that decision if it becomes necessary. Administrators say the safety protocols in place will reflect the most up-to-date best practice guidance recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New York State Department of Education, the New York State Department of Health, the Westchester County Department of Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

COVID-19 safety measures in New Rochelle schools will require daily health screenings. The daily screening includes a symptoms questionnaire, temperature check and COVID-19 “contact” check. Parents are asked to complete the questionnaire prior to students arriving at school each day.

Students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear masks indoors with the exceptions of physical education class, music class and lunch.

Indoor mask breaks of 60 to 90 seconds will be permitted for individual students and staff members only when 6 feet of social distancing is maintained. Schools will maintain 3 feet of physical distance between masked students where feasible.

The district says all classrooms in use currently have adequate air supply and ventilation.

A quarantine policy was also released on Tuesday.

If a vaccinated student is within 6 feet of a COVID-positive person for 10 cumulative minutes and is asymptomatic, then the student will not be quarantined. If an unvaccinated student, however, is within 6 feet of a COVID-positive person for 10 cumulative minutes and is symptomatic or asymptomatic, the student will quarantine for 10 days, pending review by the school district health services department.

In both situations, contact tracing will be used to provide support to exposed students and staff.

The district will conduct COVID-19 testing (Abbott: Rapid Antigen) in each school, drawing three separate “surveillance” samples to monitor COVID-19 transmission. The test is completely voluntary and requires a parent’s written consent.

Additional Safety Measures announced by the school district:

• The district will operate on a “if sick, stay at home policy.” A “No Visitor” Policy will be in place during school hours, with only employees and workers allowed. Principals can schedule appointments as necessary.
• Students and staff will be required to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status on all forms of public transportation, including school buses.
• School events and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings may take place virtually.
• Field trips will be approved under the condition that the location to be visited is open to the public and does not require disclosing vaccination status.
• Frequent handwashing will be encouraged throughout the school day.
• Unidirectional markers will be placed in hallways and stairwells to ensure safe passage and separation of students and staff.

Virtual tutoring will be provided in limited situations to:

• A student with a long-term school suspension.
• A student with a long-term illness or medical condition.
• As an accommodation for a medically documented fragile student.
• A Westchester County Department of Health-identified “quarantined cluster” or “quarantined individual student”.

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