I hope this letter finds you well. I write with an important update the CDC has put forth regarding revised mask guidelines. It is important to note the CDC did not change mask usage for schools. Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced while NYS will be adopting the CDC mask guidelines for the general public, it will not be adopting them in schools. Therefore, there will be no changes to the current protocols in Catholic schools regarding mask wearing. Please see below what the CDC said this week.
“Schools should maintain recommended COVID-19 ‘layered mitigation strategies,’ including masks, through at least the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.”
During their weekend update, the CDC also stated it will update its guidance for 2021-22 school year “in coming weeks” to give educators time to plan. Once the CDC puts out its guidance for next year, as we have done all year, we must then wait for NYS and Local Health Departments to issue their guidance.
Thank you for your vigilance, mask wearing, washing hands, social distancing, and keeping your child home when sick – it stops the spread! We will continue to make every effort to keep your child safe when in our Catholic schools! All spread outside of school appears to be related to athletic events, play dates, and other social activities. COVID-19 is still with us.
We understand this process may create some confusion and frustration as parents seek answers to how government announcements affect their child. We ask that you have the same resilience, patience, and fortitude, as you have had all year, knowing our principals and teachers have been working seven days a week, all hours of the day and night to ensure schools are accessible and safely open to our children.
We look forward to September when we can open full time without remote or hybrid instructions as government agencies permit. Like you, we know the best place is having your children in our Catholic Schools to learn, pray, and grow every day!
Sincerely,
Mr Michael J. Deegan Superintendent of Schools Archdiocese of New York