Dear BC family,
I am writing with a quick update on our back-to-school planning for the 2021-22 school year.
We are committed to the goal of having all students K-12 return for in-person instruction in September and look forward to welcoming your children back to school. This summer we have been working to ensure proper COVID health and safety protocols are in place for the start of school. This requires extensive planning given the fluid nature of the pandemic. District leadership and key stakeholders are meeting regularly to discuss protocols, logistics and COVID mitigation strategies. We are also closely monitoring COVID data trends together with other Capital Region school districts and local leaders.
Late today, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) released guidance to schools regarding the 2021-22 school year. Throughout the pandemic, the district has relied on guidance from federal, state and local authorities in order to effectively and safely educate students. We are reviewing the NYSED guidance which reflects the most recent recommendations from the CDC. We have been using the same CDC recommendations to inform our planning for the new school year.
The CDC recommends the use of layered mitigation efforts that are based on the local level of virus transmission. These are designed to be responsive to the rapidly changing environment we are still dealing with 18 months after the start of the pandemic. The CDC mitigation tools include the use of face masks, three feet of distancing, screening testing, ventilation, cleaning and disinfection, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick, and vaccination of eligible individuals. We expect all of these mitigation protocols — in some form or another — will be in place here in Bethlehem for at least the start of the school year.
We are looking to finalize our back-to-school plans by Friday, August 20. We will share these plans with families and staff a soon as possible. We will also be scheduling some Back-to-School Q & A sessions as we get closer to the start of the school year. The first day of school is Thursday, September 9 for all students.
There is no question that COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on our lives. For the past 18 months, we have been challenged to effectively and safely educate our students. While the challenge continues in the new year, we are in a much better place given all that we have learned since March 2020.
Thank you for your continued support. I hope you enjoy the remainder of your summer. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at jmonroe@bethlehemschools.org.
Sincerely,
Jody Monroe
Superintendent
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