Mask Update
DeSales Catholic School
Monday, August 30, 2021
Dear DeSales Families,
Last Friday, August 27th, the New York State Department of Health issued the following directive for all public and private schools in New York state, including DeSales:
Effective immediately, in accordance with the Commissioner's Determination issued pursuant to 10 NYCRR 2.60, any person over the age of 2 (including all students, personnel, teachers, administrators, contractors, and visitors) must wear masks at all times indoors in P-12 school buildings, regardless of vaccination status. People with medical or developmental conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask may be exempted from mask requirements, as documented by a medical provider. People do not need to wear masks when eating, drinking, singing, or playing a wind instrument; when masks are removed for these purposes, individuals must be spaced six feet apart.
These instructions apply to everyone, regardless of vaccination status. We are confident that, like last year, we will be able to continue to provide a safe and healthy environment for our students. We have ensured that class sizes continue to be small so that desks can be spaced apart. Outdoor learning will be utilized as much as possible and mask breaks will be provided every hour (PreK-5) or class period (grades 6-8). Lastly, in the interest of student comfort, we have made a permanent change allowing sneakers to be worn with all uniforms.
We are looking forward to the return of sports this Fall, being able to eat in the cafeteria, and allowing parents/grandparents to volunteer at recess.
All DeSales volunteers must participate in the Virtus Protecting God’s Children program prior to volunteering. We will be hosting a Virtus training at DeSales on October 7th. To sign up for this training, or any of the others that are in our area, go to: https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/reg_list2.cfm?theOrgID=16003&theme=0.
Arrival and dismissal procedures will remain much the same as last year with a few adjustments. A separate web blast will be coming out this week with full details. All students riding the bus will enter at the front door near the preschool playground. Kindergarten through grade 8 students being dropped off will enter at the main door. We will continue to ask that all adults dropping students off refrain from entering the building in the morning.
Finally, I can’t wait to see everyone at our opening picnic this Wednesday! If you haven’t signed up for a time slot, you can do so at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0f4aaaab283-back1. During the picnic, masks will be required for everyone in the building, but are not needed outside. Class lists are being finalized as I type this letter, and teachers have been working diligently the past two weeks to set up their classrooms.
Thank you for all you do for your children and for DeSales. With your continued support, I know we are going to have a fantastic school year!
Sincerely,
Karen Rahill, Principal
First Day of School
First Day of School
Tuesday, September 7th*
*Half Day for All Students (K-8 dismissed 10:50 and Preschool at 11:30am)
DeSales Catholic School
Email: Knuutilak@desalescatholicschool.org
Website: http://www.desalescatholicschool.org/
Location: 6914 Chestnut Ridge Road, Lockport, NY, USA
Phone: (716)433-6422
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeSalesCatholicSchool