Return to Headlines

Jan. 2, 2022 Return to School Update

Dear Clarkstown Community,

We write this letter hoping you are all as well as possible and have been able to enjoy the holiday season.  You are most likely aware of the rising number of COVID cases throughout our area.  We are continuing to receive reports of positive results from families and staff.  

At this time, while we have been informed of some districts in surrounding counties that have decided to go to a remote option, we are able to open for Monday, January 3rd, based on our current staffing.  

We want to remind you of the Department of Health guidance which we will continue to follow when students return to school on Monday:

  • Based on the RCDOH guidelines, the CDC “5 day” quarantine guideline ONLY applies to fully vaccinated staff at this time.

  • If your child tested positive or was exposed to a positive case on or after December 25, 2021, they may not return to school tomorrow, January 3rd. If December 25 is their positive or exposure date, they would return January 4. If December 26, they would return January 5, and so on.
  • Students with any symptoms of COVID will be sent home.

  • Mask wearing will be strictly enforced.  Please review the correct way to wear a mask, covering the nose and mouth, with your children and reinforcing the importance.  Please send extra masks in their backpacks.
  • Proper distancing will be maintained and every effort will be made to limit exposure during snack and lunch.
  • Hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer will be reinforced.

  • Only when necessary will visitors be allowed in our buildings.

Thank you for your consideration of these guidelines.

In addition please know that our plan is to: 

  • continue our present course of monitoring the number of staff available and the response from the other districts in Rockland.

  • remain open for students and staff where there is adequate supervision and a majority of in-person students, but if necessary, switch to remote for those specific cases where this does not exist.

  • assess staffing on Monday to determine if a conference day during the week is needed.

  • implement other suggestions about eating, virtual meetings and events and enhanced social distancing wherever possible.

We are continuing to share all of the thoughts, suggestions and views sent to the District by our stakeholders as we move forward on this challenging topic. We will update all as soon as we have new information to share. Most importantly, we hope everyone is as well as possible. 

Sincerely, 

Signature

Jeff Sobel
Acting Interim Superintendent
Clarkstown Central School District