From the Superintendent
West Irondequoit CSD update from Aaron Johnson
December 30, 2021
Greetings Families,
I hope everyone is enjoying holiday break and finding time to relax. In anticipation of our return to school Monday, Jan. 3rd, we've been tracking the latest updates from the Governor and the NYSDOH and want to make sure you're informed.
Earlier this week, Gov. Hochul announced that NYS would deliver an additional round of COVID-19 rapid test kits to schools, again providing enough for every student. She repeated her commitment to keeping schools open to maintain the continuity of instruction, and she cited as significant factors the growing vaccination rates of students/staff, proper and consistent masking and access to tests. Kits are expected to arrive this weekend, and Tuesday is our target date to deliver them to you. We plan to do so "backpack" style, sending them home with your children (one kit per student).
Please know that testing is at your discretion. If parents/guardians wish to OPT-OUT of their children receiving a kit or being tested, please complete a short survey at THIS LINK. If your family wants kits, NO ACTION IS NECESSARY. Kits are in limited supply, so an accurate count is important. If you'd prefer to pick up a kit rather than one being sent home with your child, please indicate so in the survey. Kits can be picked up on Tuesday, Jan. 4th between 7:30-8:30 AM or 2:30-4 PM at the Evans & McGraw Teaching Learning Center, 45 Cooper Road. Parents of students who attend an out of district placement, placed through the CSE process please feel free to stop by the TLC during the pick up windows to get your child's test kit.
Some testing guidance:
- Please administer tests within 24 hours; report any positive results, as appropriate.
- Here is a link to Frequently Asked Questions about administering a test.
- Here is a link to watch at "How To" video.
Finally, the NYSDOH issued an update to schools' Test To Stay (TTS) guidance HERE. Two significant changes are:
- COVID-19 exposure must have occurred in the school setting AND while both the infected person and the exposed person were consistently and properly masked.
- The exposed person is tested a minimum of 3 times during the 7-day period following exposure, unless recognition of the exposure is delayed, or weekends or school breaks intervene.
We must amend our practices next week to align with this new guidance. Thank you again for being such an engaged and supportive school community and remaining flexible as we manage these changes. I hope everyone finds time to unplug in the next few days and enjoy a very Happy and safe New Year!
Kind regards,
Aaron R. Johnson, Ed. D
Superintendent of Schools
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: public_info@westiron.monroe.edu
Website: westirondequoit.org
Location: 321 List Avenue, Irondequoit, NY, USA
Phone: 585-342-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestIrondequoitCSD
Twitter: @WestIrondequoit