William Floyd School District: Mask Policy For 2021-22 School Year

Press release from the William Floyd School District:

August 17, 2021

Below is a transcript of Kevin Coster’s superintendent’s report from tonight’s Board of Education meeting regarding the re-opening plan and masking policy for the upcoming school year. This policy is contingent upon no new mandates from elected officials at the state and county level, as well as the New York State and Suffolk County health departments. The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 31 at 7 pm in the William Floyd High School library.

Transcript of remarks by Mr. Coster:

As of tonight’s Board of Education meeting on August 17 without any mandates from the governor of New York State or the Suffolk County executive, the following is the recommended re-entry plan for students, faculty, staff and community for the start of the 2021-22 school year. This re-entry plan is subject to change due to mandates by our government officials and will be reviewed for any changes.

Opening of School

We will be enacting a hybrid mask policy for the district, which means masks will not be required all the time, but must be in a ready position for all students, faculty and staff in certain circumstances. This is the plan that was in place in July 2020 before the governor mandated full masks. We feel that this is the best balance of safety while providing students with the opportunity to have more of a normal schooling experience.

The details are as follows:

• Desk shields have been removed.
• Students, while seated at their desks in their classrooms, will be permitted to pull their masks below the chin, but keep it in a ready position in case social distancing is no longer possible. This represents a majority of the school day for a student. Students are also permitted to lower or remove their masks while seated and eating in the cafeteria.
• Masks will not be required outdoors for recess, physical education and any outdoor learning.
• Masks must be worn in small group instruction of less than three feet, when walking around the classroom, walking in the hallways or on the cafeteria line.
• Masks will be required or for all students on all buses unless a student is medically exempt (this is a mandate from the U.S. Department of Transportation).
• These hybrid masking requirements are vitally important to follow, so as to avoid any prolonged quarantining of students or staff.

Remote teaching – will not be offered

• Medically fragile students can follow the 504 process and work with their medical doctor and the district to see if home instruction is a possibility. Students learn best in school.

Visitors to Schools/Use of Facilities

• During the day when school is in session, by appointment only with masks.
• At night for parent meetings with masks in the ready/hybrid position same as students, faculty and staff.
• Community organizations – facility use indoors - masks ready/hybrid same as students, faculty and staff.

Athletics

• Indoors spectator- masks required.
• No limited numbers spectators indoor or outdoor.
• Exploring the possibility of continuing to livestream athletic events.

Music Rehearsals

• Instrumental and choral lessons will continue at all levels
• Decisions on indoor concerts will be made in the future.

COVID Protocols – Requirements

• No student health attestations
• No staff health attestations
• No daily temperature checks

While we understand the frustrations that many of you have at this point, we feel that this plan strikes the right balance. This plan is similar to one that has been allowed in restaurants throughout the pandemic. I would like to thank you all for your anticipated cooperation as we strive to protect our students and staff while providing a great education and positive environment for our students and staff.

This press release was produced by the William Floyd School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.