Minisink Valley elementary families:
Dramatic decreases in Orange County’s COVID-19 positivity rates, as noted on the CDC’s COVID-19 tracking platform, are allowing us to revise our existing policy on the use of plexiglass desk dividers in our elementary buildings. The use of these dividers will now be discontinued.
Our Buildings and Grounds team will begin removing the dividers from classrooms beginning tomorrow, May 20, and we anticipate all will be removed as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience as this work takes place.
This decision was made after a careful review of Orange County data and updated New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) guidance, in addition to a thorough review of this policy and related data with Minisink Valley Medical Director Dr. Sara Little. The consensus was that discontinuing the use of the dividers is in the best interests of our students, faculty and staff.
As a reminder: Mask wearing remains a requirement in all our buildings by all students, faculty and staff with the exception of meal time and mask breaks. As an added measure of safety, social distancing will be increased when masks are removed.
Please know with the warmer weather upon us, our faculty and staff are keenly aware of the need for more frequent mask breaks.
Please also note: The district is required to follow NYSDOH guidelines, not the CDC, so while you may hear of changes nationally we must wait until the NYSDOH has adopted those to make changes in the school district.
Important reminders about mask wearing in all district buildings
Thank you for your attention to this important information.