Hello, MCS community. 

Late last evening, the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Education Department released updated masking guidance. Wearing a mask while in school or on school transportation is now optional. However, there are several caveats to this new guidance. The purpose of this letter is to summarize the changes and caveats that will impact the school moving forward. 

Does my child or their teacher need to wear a mask while in school?

• The state requirement for universal masking in P-12 school settings ended on March 2nd, 2022.

Does my child need to wear a mask while on school transportation?

• No. Masking is no longer required on any school transportation.

Does my child need to wear a mask for extracurricular activities?

• No. Masking is no longer required for extracurricular activities.

Can my child or their teacher still decide to wear a mask?

• Yes. NYSDOH recommends students, staff, and teachers wear masks when:
  • They feel more comfortable wearing a mask for personal reasons.
  • They are known to have been exposed to COVID-19 in any setting within the previous 10-days.
  • They are moderately-to-severely immunocompromised and have discussed the need to mask with their healthcare providers.

Is there a scenario where my child or their teacher must wear a mask moving forward?

• Yes. Students, staff, and teachers must wear properly fitting masks on return to school during days 6-10 of their isolation period if they were COVID-19 positive.

Does this mean that social distancing is gone?

• Unfortunately, this is not clear right now. When we have more information this will be shared with you.

If my child may have been exposed to COVID-19, will the school still notify us?

• Yes. MCS will continue to notify families if their child may have been exposed to COVID-19.

What should I do if my child has been exposed to COVID-19?

• Per NYSDOH, exposed individuals are recommended to:
  • Consider testing immediately upon learning of the exposure or potential exposure. Please note that MCS has rapid take-home tests if you require any.
  • At least 5 days after the last date of exposure or potential exposure, regardless of vaccination status.
  • If the individual is not fully vaccinated and attending or working at school after exposure or potential exposure, frequent testing (e.g., daily, every other day, at least twice within 5 days) from the date of the exposure or potential exposure (Day 0) through at least day 5 should be strongly considered and encouraged.
  • Exclude from school if a test is positive and/or exclude from school and test as soon as possible if symptoms develop

What if my child is showing symptoms of COVID-19? What should I do?

Symptomatic individuals, regardless of vaccination status or recent infection, should stay home until tested. MCS offers on-site testing for students. You will have results back in less than 20-minutes. Contact the nurse if you need symptomatic testing.

During the past two years, due to your thoughtfulness and cooperation, MCS has been able to keep our programs in person and moving forward. Even with multiple changes to COVID-19 guidelines, restrictions, and practices, you have supported us along the way. That is what makes Minerva so unique. We have been partners during this pandemic, and we will continue to do so. 

Thank you for everything you have done to make sure that all of the MCS community has been safe. I know that we will continue to work together to ensure that the community's safety is a priority moving forward.

Sincerely, 

Kyle H. McFarland

Superintendent