FAQs

This frequently asked questions (FAQ) guidance is being provided based on the public health situation as we understand it today. Changes to the public health situation over the course of the year may necessitate changes to this guidance.  

If my child has symptoms of COVID-19, what is required to return to school?

Students who have ANY COVID-19 symptom(s) should stay home.  

COVID-19 testing and/or follow up with a healthcare provider is strongly recommended.  

Students must be fever free x 24 hours (without fever reducing medication) and have other symptom improvement before returning to school.

Call your School Building attendance office to report all absences and call your Building school nurse with any questions. 

If your child tests positive for COVID-19, Flu, or RSV contact your Building School Nurse immediately.

Can individuals who had contact with a positive case attend school if they are asymptomatic (symptom free)?

Yes, per the NYSDOH, exposed individuals, regardless of vaccination status, who are asymptomatic (symptom free) may remain in school.  

No, universal masking is not required at this time .

Individuals returning to school after testing positive and completing 5 day isolation period should wear a mask in school and in indoor public spaces on Days 6-10 in accord with CDC recommendations.

There is no remote option for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Is Physical Distancing required?

No, physical distancing is no longer required.

Is COVID -19 vaccination required in order for students or staff to attend school?

No, the COVID-19 vaccine is not mandated in New York State for school attendance.  However, COVID-19 vaccination helps protect eligible people from getting severely ill with COVID-19.  All individuals age 6 months of age and older are eligible and encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Additional information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/overview-COVID-19-vaccines.html 

Will students be required to wear masks on school buses?  

No, universal masking is not required at this time .

Individuals returning to school after testing positive and completing 5 day isolation period should wear a mask in school and in indoor public spaces on Days 6-10 in accord with CDC recommendations.

How will the buses be cleaned and disinfected?  

Buses will be cleaned and disinfected at the end of their morning run and again at the end of their afternoon run.  Drivers will wipe down the high contact areas between their assigned schools.

Will there be hand sanitizer on the bus?  

No, hand sanitizer is not allowed on the bus due to its high alcohol content.  

What are the CDC COVID Vaccination Recommendations?

Recommendations for Everyone Aged 5 Years and Older:    Everyone aged 5 years and older ‡ should get 1 dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.   None of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines is preferred over another.

What You Need to Know:

•  CDC recommends the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax, to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.

• Everyone aged 5 years and older ‡ should get 1 dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.

• Children aged 6 months–4 years need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be up to date, including at least 1 dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine.

• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of updated COVID-19 vaccine.

• COVID-19 vaccine recommendations will be updated as needed.

Please visit the CDC website for more information.

What kind of sanitizer will be provided by the school? 

Each classroom will have a bottle of 65% alcohol hand sanitizer sold by 'Enviro-Chem', the product is called 'Pure-San'.  We also have hand sanitizer provided by NY State that we will be using.  

Can I opt my child out of using hand sanitizer?

Yes.  Click here for the opt-out form.  Completed forms should be returned to your building School Nurse.  If a student opts-out of using hand sanitizer, they will be instructed to wash their hands with soap and water instead. 

Will there be water breaks? 

Yes, there will be water during the day.

What should I do if my child uses a Nebulizer for Asthma? 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC recommends using a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) with a spacer instead of a nebulizer for asthma treatments at school if possible.

We are asking families to speak with their health care provider about using a MDI with a spacer instead of a nebulizer for asthma treatments.  All medications require a completed medication authorization form.  If your health care provider determines nebulizer treatments are necessary, please contact your building School Nurse to develop a safety plan.

What are the physical exam requirements for the 2023-2024 school year? 

New York State requires physical exams for all new entrants, and students entering Grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11 in September 2022.  Physical exams must be dated 9/5/22 or after to be valid for the 2023 - 2024 school year.

What immunizations are required for the 2023-2024 school year? 

Click here for the current New York State Immunization Requirements for School Attendance.   

Will the District supply face coverings/masks for students and staff?

Staff and Students/families are encouraged to bring masks from home.  The District will provide employees and students with face coverings/masks at no cost if needed.

Are there any travel related restrictions for school?

As of June 25, 2021, the New York State Travel Advisory is no longer in effect.  As such, travelers arriving in New York are no longer required to submit traveler health forms.

All travelers, domestic and international, should continue to follow all CDC travel requirements.

Do students need to wear a mask in Physical Education class or during sports?  

No.  Mask wearing by students and staff in all district buildings is optional.

When can my student athlete return to athletics after testing positive for COVID-19?

Athletes may return to athletics on day 6 with a note from a physician indicating cardiac clearance. 

Can you clarify if/how attendance actually impacts our funding?

The New York State Education Department has responded as follows: "State Aid formulas use multiple attendance counts in the calculation of aid apportionments for school districts. Statewide over 70 percent, largely in Foundation Aid, is based on Average Daily Membership or district enrollment, which is a measure of student registration in the district and does not take attendance into account. These aid formulas should not be impacted by attendance rates. Some formulas use Average Daily Attendance in the calculation of reimbursement rates, and Education Law §3602(1)(d)(2) provides for the commissioner to exclude from that calculation “days on which school attendance was adversely affected because of an epidemic...”. NYSED plans to advance a proposed COVID-specific change to such regulations in September for consideration by the Board of Regents."

As a result, if less students are registered or enrolled in school then we could see a decrease in the amount of Foundation Aid that is provided because the formula takes into account total enrollment. However there may not be a reduction if there are a significant amount of absences if NYSED is able to propose COVID-specific changes to state aid formulas that use average daily attendance.