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February 27, 2022: Mask Mandate in NYS Schools Ending March 2, 2022
This afternoon, Governor Hochul lifted the mandated mask requirement in schools across New York State based on the continued downward trend of several COVID-19 metrics. This change will go into effect on Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
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February 11, 2022: COVID-19 Test Kit Distribution
Earlier this week, Governor Hochul announced plans to re-assess the mask requirement in schools upon return from mid-winter break based on case and positivity metrics. Schools have been directed to distribute at-home test kits to families prior to the February break. This will allow students to be tested prior to returning to school on February 28.
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January 25, 2022: Mask Mandate Update
This afternoon, the Appellate Division ordered a stay of the lower supreme court ruling. This means that the current NYSDOH mask mandate for schools remains in effect at least until another ruling on the matter is made by the Appellate Division, which could happen later this week. Once a final decision has been reached, I will communicate those findings to you as well as any potential implications for masking here at Lancaster schools.
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January 24, 2022: Safety Protocol Update
In response to a New York State Supreme Court Judge in Nassau County declaring the mask mandate established by Governor Hochul’s Administration illegal, the State Education Department indicated the Department of Health would be appealing the decision—an action that would result in an automatic stay. Because of this, the State Education Department made it clear to K-12 officials that “schools must continue to follow the mask rule.”
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January 21, 2022: LCSD Test to Stay Information
TTS will allow individuals in school settings identified as close contacts, who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, to attend in-person classes (instruction/academic periods), even while under mandatory quarantine orders when they test negative throughout the TTS process.
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LCSD Test to Stay Parent Consent
If you consent to TTS for your child, your child will be tested a minimum of two times during the five-day quarantine period following exposure, unless recognition of the exposure is delayed or weekends or school breaks intervene. One of the tests must occur on day five. If day five falls on a weekend or school holiday, the test should be performed the next school day. The rapid antigen tests are free and will be administered by a medical professional from Buffalo Homecare, Inc. Per ECDOH, at-home tests do NOT qualify for TTS protocol.
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LCSD Test to Stay (TTS) Protocol
Our goal since the beginning of the pandemic has been to maximize the amount of learning students receive in our schools. We are pleased that both NYSDOH and ECDOH have adopted the Test to Stay (TTS) strategy. The implementation of the TTS strategy will allow asymptomatic, unvaccinated, or not fully-vaccinated school-based close contacts (e.g. students, faculty, and staff) to avoid school exclusion (i.e., quarantine), by testing negative through repetitive testing using rapid antigen tests during a five-day period following exposure.
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Affirmations of Isolation/Quarantine
If your child tests positive, please fill out the Affirmation of Isolation and return it to your child's school nurse (via hard copy or email). Additionally, an absence note must be turned into the main office upon your child's return to school.
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ECDOH Offering COVID-19 Booster Doses To All Eligible
Individuals who completed a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine series at least five months ago are eligible for a booster dose. The previous interval was at least six months.
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January 8, 2022: Updated Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for Students
Yesterday afternoon, the ECDOH confirmed changes that take effect immediately to guidance regarding the isolation and quarantine periods. As a reminder, the isolation period occurs when an individual tests positive for COVID-19. The quarantine period occurs when an individual has been identified as a close contact of a person who is positive for COVID-19.
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January 3, 2022: Important Topics Related to COVID-19
The following communication outlines two important topics: the need for additional employees to support in-person learning and the purpose of at-home tests distributed on Sunday, January 2, 2022.
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January 2, 2022: COVID-19 Test Kit Distribution
The COVID-19 test kits are scheduled to arrive at Erie 1 BOCES early this evening. Now that we know the test kits are arriving in WNY, we feel comfortable providing the details of Sunday morning’s distribution process. As stated previously, the goal of Governor Hochul and NYSDOH Commissioner Mary Bassett is to assist school districts in their efforts to maintain in-person learning by having as many students as possible tested for COVID-19 prior to school resuming on Monday, January 3, 2022.
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December 30, 2021: Message from Dr. Vallely
We hope that you have enjoyed time with your family and friends over the holiday break. We also hope that everyone in your family has remained healthy and safe. As you know, the Lancaster Central School District has prioritized in-person learning and keeping schools open while maintaining the health and safety of our entire school community.
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ECDOH Updates COVID-19 Quarantine Requirement
ECDOH has released information on an option for release from quarantine after day 7. They have outlined the requirements along with a release from quarantine worksheet.
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ECDOH Resumes ID Now (Rapid) Testing
ECDOH has been able to resume ID Now (rapid) COVID-19 diagnostic testing. ID Now is a NAAT test that provides results in about 15 minutes, on-site.
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