Who is responsible for the current mask mandate in schools?

• The current mandate for all NYS schools is a directive from the Governor and Gov. Kathy Hochul has advised school districts that state officials would revisit the school mask mandate in early March after students return from midwinter break, and officials have an opportunity to analyze case numbers in schools and distribute test kits to students.

If the mandate is lifted will NRCSD still require them?

• No, at that time masking will be optional for all students and staff in school buildings. The District will follow a similar policy to our 2021 summer programs when face coverings were not mandated.

When do we anticipate the mandate to be lifted?

• While we are not certain at this time, there has been some indication it could be lifted shortly after the February break. Gov. Kathy Hochul has advised school districts that state officials would revisit the school mask mandate in early March after students return from midwinter break, and officials have an opportunity to analyze case numbers in schools and distribute test kits to students.

Why hasn't the District defied the mask mandate?

• If NYS schools do not follow the requirement set forth by the State and State Education Department it could affect the district's state aid and sanctions could be imposed to districts in violation. The Superintendent and Board of Education could be removed from office. Please see letter from commissioner Betty Rosa linked here which was sent to a District considering violating the mask mandate.

What should parents and community members who feel strongly about the mandate do?

• It's important that we avoid acts that would paint our wonderful and strong District in a bad light and hinder our goal of providing educational excellence for all students.
• Linked here is an example of what could happen when a community is divided.

You can let your voice be heard by sending letters to elected officials.

Senator James Skoufis
Contact Info
skoufis@nysenate.gov

55 West Railroad AveBuilding 24, Suite A2
Garnerville, NY 10923
Phone: 845-786-6710

The Honorable Kathy Hochul
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

Betty Rosas Commissioner of Education
New York State Education Department
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12234

You can view a recent Board of Education meeting in which Dr. Felicello discusses the mask mandate. Click here and fast forward to approximately one hour and four minutes.

The Board of Education and Administration, District and Superintendent have a shared goal to provide our students with an exemplary experience while controlling taxes for our community. We understand the fiscal challenges that living in Rockland County pose which is why they are collaboratively working to control taxes for the third consecutive year. The latest 2022-23 school budget presentation can be found linked here.

As always, our budget fully supports the curriculum, instruction, and professional development that addresses the needs of all learners. Our budget also includes the expanded use of certain “green technologies” and facility improvements to enhance our learning and working environments while achieving real cost savings. The District is planning and analyzing the best approach to utilize COVID and Capitol funds to upgrade facilities and opportunities for students.

This week was the 100th day of school in NRCSD! NR Together and NR Strong we rocked out, dressed up and celebrated the giant milestone. This 100th day is extra special because it marks 100 days of in-person learning in our school buildings as well. So our hallways and rooms were all transformed for the occasion.

Through fun filled activities we reinforced the reading, writing, and, most importantly, math skills we have learned and put them to good use! We posed with signs, balloons and friends, counted to 100 as many times as we could, collected 100 of some of our favorite things, guesstimated which mystery jars contained 100 items, followed floor hallway markers that added up to 100 in intervals of 5 and 10, played 100 themed games and made t-shirts, crowns and banners to rock out with!

These first 100 days in North Rockland have been unforgettable and we can't wait to see what we will learn during the next 80. We're all super motivated to make each one count! More photos.

171 middle schoolers from the 7th grade and 143 from 8th grade were honored yesterday and today during Fieldstone's Principal's Roll ceremonies!

Aside from being recognized for their academic achievements with their families, teachers and principals in attendance, our students were reminded of what an incredible accomplishment earning Principal's roll really is! Even at the secondary level, the award looks good on college and university applications and helps raise Raiders confidence in their school work and abilities.

"The Principal's Roll honor is one of the most important awards to get." explained FMS Assistant Principal Ed Garcia. "To have so many of you achieve this goal while you are in school is outstanding, you should all feel very proud of your accomplishment! And I challenge you and your peers to double our numbers for the next ceremony!"

After the NR chorus and color guard opened the event, each honoree received a special award certificate, panther magnet, and photo op against the FMS Pride back drop. It was wonderful celebrating our student successes NR Together and NR Strong! Congratulations! More photos linked here.

Playoffs - Opening round

• NR Hockey vs Mt. Pleasant at Westchester skate center - Friday Feb. 18 at 8pm
• NR Boys Basketball vs Spring Valley- Home at NRHS Annex Gym - Saturday Feb. 19 at 12 noon
• NR Girls Basketball at John Jay East Fishkill - Tuesday Feb. 22 at 5pm

• Track and Field- State qualifier at the Armory - Sunday Feb. 20 at 9am

NRCSD installed new recycling receptacles across our buildings this week to help our students and staff recycle better! This year the District has been working hard to collaboratively go green and keep our community clean. The addition of the new receptacles will result in more cans and bottle being recycled each day and less waste being landfilled.

The NRCSD has partnered with Peachjar. This new platform will enable us to send important school and community flyers to parents/guardians digitally, saving our schools time, money, and paper. School-approved digital flyers will be sent to your email inbox. Please click here for more information.

The North Rockland Central School District went Red in honor of American Heart Month! NR Together, students, teachers, administrators and staff across our buildings, schools and Remote Academy donned their Raider Red for the American Heart Association's, Go Red for Women campaign. We raised Heart Health awareness and action to help save more lives NR Strong!

We are all so busy in our everyday lives taking care of our family, friends and responsibilities, sometimes we forget to take care of our selves. Caring for your heart through a healthy diet and regular physical activity is the secret weapon to preventing heart disease. So make sure you check in regularly and make time for you!

Be on the lookout for the 22-23 Universal Pre-K Program and the Full Day Pre-K program applications that will be posted on northrockland.org starting next week and will be accepted from January 31 - Mach 31. The program begins in September for children who will be four years old by December 1, 2022, and live in district. Children in UPK attend five (5) half days for 2½ hours each day; Children in Statewide Full-Day Prekindergarten attend five (5) days a week for 5 hours each day for 180 days per school year, at no cost to you. Parents have a choice of several center locations throughout the county. Please note that transportation is not provided. There are limited slots.

In recent weeks there have been several changes to the guidance, protocols, and mandates regarding the management of COVID. NR has implemented the following updated guidance for our schools.

Quarantine:

Quarantine is for individuals who have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus through close contact with someone who is infected, but has not tested positive for COVID-19 and does not have symptoms.

What has changed in regards to quarantines?

• The quarantine period has been reduced from ten days to five days.
• Students who we can not confirm had direct contact will not be required to quarantine; however, they will be notified that they may have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID.
• Students who are fully vaccinated will not be required to quarantine unless they experience symptoms.
• Students who are not fully vaccinated will be required to quarantine for five days from their point of exposure if they do not experience symptoms. They should be sure to wear a well fitted mask in public spaces for five additional days from their quarantine.

This adjustment will primarily affect school transportation and unstructured locations such as lunch rooms. Under the previous requirements, any student who was suspected of being a direct contact were mandated to quarantine, causing many students to miss time at school even though they may not have been exposed.

North Rockland will notify parents if an individual on their child’s bus has tested positive. Those students will not be required to miss school if they remain symptom free. In these situations, we will ask parents to closely monitor their symptoms and avoid coming in contact with high risk folks.

Isolation:

Isolation is for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, even if they don't have symptoms.

How long must my child remain out of school if they are required to Isolate?

• Isolation ends after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation​).

• After leaving your isolation, you must continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.

• Students may return to physical education and/or athletics after their isolation period ends with a doctor’s note. Students unable to obtain a doctor's note may return 10 days after isolation as long as they have not been treated with prescribed medication for COVID-19 or were admitted to the hospital.

It is North Rockland's philosophy to adjust our plan after information provided has been vetted. In the weeks to come, our COVID management strategy may change based on the information that is provided and what makes sense for our school community.

The District continues to be afforded an extensive supply of free Rapid Home Antigen test kits that the Rockland Department of Health (RCDOH), in cooperation with our partners at Rockland BOCES, has delivered to be distributed to all interested North Rockland families.

Requested test kits can be picked up with photos id at our testing site at 65 Chapel Street, Garnerville beginning again 2/28 on Mondays and Wednesdays 7am-10am and Thursdays from 2pm -5pm. You will see signs for COVID testing. Please pull up to that area and a security guard will assist you. Test kits will also be available at various District events.

***Please note these tests cannot be used as clearance to return to school or work if an individual is symptomatic. A student or staff member who was symptomatic can only return to school or work with a written report from a rapid antigen test, PCR test, or a doctor's note with an alternative diagnosis.