June 8, 2021
On Friday, June 4, 2021, the NYS Commissioner of Health, Dr. Howard A. Zucker, issued a letter to the Center for Disease Control (“CDC”) which indicated that, absent information from the CDC to the contrary, effective June 7, 2021, New York State public schools may lift the mask mandate for students, staff and visitors on school property. However, health officials quickly walked back this statement because the DOH had not received approval from the CDC to do so.
As you know first-hand, this back-and-forth created significant confusion for school administrators over the weekend as we tried to identify a compliant mask policy for school on Monday. Both the Governor’s office and the DOH confirmed on Monday, June 7, 2021 that guidance on mask use indoors remains in place.
However, on Monday, June 7, 2021, Gov. Cuomo announced that school districts can lift the requirement that students must wear masks outdoors.
As a result, starting Tuesday, June 8, all Fort Ann Central School District students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, will no longer be required to wear a mask outside on school grounds; this includes outdoor school sports as well.
Inside our school buildings, we will continue to allow longer and more frequent mask breaks while our students are seated at their desks.
If a student or staff member is experiencing difficulty with the heat and needs an extended drink or mask break in order to cool down - this is acceptable, as long as there is six feet of separation between individuals.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Sincerely,
Kevin Froats
Superintendent of Schools