NO SCHOOL: Holiday Recess 12/23–1/1
Hello! I hope you are enjoying a safe and restful summer.
As COVID-19 cases rise once again in our region and across the country, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide a brief update on the status of our COVID-19 health and safety guidelines at this time.
Like school districts across New York, we are following the official guidance from the New York State Department of Health, which requires 3 feet social distancing in classrooms, 6 feet in common areas and masks inside all school buildings whether or not you are vaccinated.
Masks continue to be optional for adults and students outside on school grounds.
We will continue to follow these practices while we await updated guidance from the state, which we hope to receive soon. We will keep you updated as that guidance and our plans for the new school year evolve.
In the meantime, we continue to monitor the increasing prevalence of COVID-19 with the proliferation of the Delta variant. Our goal continues to be in-person attendance for all students in the 2021-22 school year.
However, like everyone in society, we are concerned by the disturbing trend of increasing cases and its potential to impact our plans for the new school year, including implications for student transportation and our fall sports teams.
We are continuing with our temperature screening for students, faculty and staff for the duration of our summer school programs. If you or your student experience COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home and get tested.
- Signs of COVID-19 are: fever, fatigue/tiredness, muscle/body aches or pains, congestion, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, nausea/vomiting or diarrhea, headache, loss of taste or smell, rash, feeling sick or unwell in any way.
- You can get a COVID-19 test by calling the New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline at (888) 364-3065, or Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Center at (518) 407-0172 or (518) 465-4771.
I strongly encourage everyone in our school community to get a COVID-19 vaccination if you are able. Should you have questions, please consult your healthcare provider. COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone age 12 and older.
I am grateful to our partners at Whitney Young for the immunization clinics at Albany High School beginning this Wednesday, Aug. 4. These clinics will offer both the COVID-19 vaccination for eligible students and adults, as well as other immunizations that are required for the start of school.
Visit our Health Services section for a full schedule of these immunization clinics, and a list of required immunizations for students.
Please also watch this brief video message from Health Services Coordinator Suzanne McCarthy regarding the importance of all immunizations for the new school year.
Yours in education,
Kaweeda G. Adams
Superintendent
