August 16, 2021
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Wildcat students:
Student and staff safety have been and continue to be our first priority. Additionally, it is the goal of the Gilboa-Conesville Central School District to have all students attending in person instruction beginning September 7, 2021.
On August 12th, the New York State Education Department released a document “Health and Safety Guide for the 2021-2022 School Year” which sets forth recommendations for school opening in September. The recommendations are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). A link to this document is included at the bottom of this letter. Based on the recommendations found in these documents, the Gilboa-Conesville CSD Board of Education will be considering the following protocols for the school year:
- All students, school personnel, and visitors will be required to wear masks while inside school building(s) and on school transportation regardless of their vaccination status. Mask breaks will be granted on an as needed basis.
- Three (3) foot social distancing will be maintained wherever possible.
- For activities that result in increased exhalation (i.e., high risk sports, band, choir, etc.) six (6) foot or greater social distancing will be implemented.
- Social distancing for indoor versus outdoor activities will be taken into consideration.
- Students will be cohorted to the extent possible during meals; social distancing will be implemented when masks are removed.
- All school personnel and students will continue washing their hands with soap and water, or to use hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes where needed.
- All school personnel and students are encouraged to stay home if sick.
- Health attestations will be administered twice during the school year to all students and school personnel; visitors to the building will be screened and required to complete an attestation form upon entry to the building.
We will continue to monitor information from local and state entities and will adapt our protocols accordingly. All protocols are subject to change.
The Board of Education will meet Wednesday, August 18th in the school auditorium for a regularly scheduled meeting. The above recommendations will be discussed at this meeting.
Respectfully,
Jack Etter, Superintendent
Link to the “NYSED Health and Safety Guide for the 2021-2022 School Year’: http://www.nysed.gov/common/nysed/files/programs/back-school/nysed-health-and-safety-guide-for-the-2021-2022-school-year.pdf