District Updates - Coronavirus (Covid19)
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6/7/21 - District Email
Dear Massapequa School Community,
Late this afternoon, we received a phone call as well as written correspondence from the Governor’s office directing the district to reinstate the indoor mask mandate effective Tuesday, June 8, 2021. The Governor's representative made it clear that the district would incur sanctions for non-compliance which would include but not be limited to monetary fines, school closures and the ability to operate in person. Based on these directives, effective immediately, all students, staff and visitors must wear masks indoors. The mask mandate also extends to school buses. Please note that the wearing of masks for outdoor activities is not required. The Board of Education has no other option at this point than to comply with the law and directives of the Governor of New York State.
Furthermore, the mask wearing mandate must remain in effect through the remainder of the school year unless subsequent guidance to remove this mandate is issued.
Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and ongoing support.
Yours truly,
Lucille F. Iconis
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6/6/21 - District Email
This evening the Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution to uphold the guidance issued on June 4, 2021 by the NYS Department of Health making mask wearing by students and staff in our schools optional effective June 7, 2021. Please note that mask wearing is encouraged but not required. All other mitigation measures remain intact including masks on buses and desk shields where eating occurs. Visitors must continue to wear masks on school property. Thank you for your cooperation.
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6/6/21 - District Email
Dear Massapequa Educational Community:
This email serves as an update to my email of June 4th regarding NYS guidance on mask mandates. After conferring with legal counsel, beginning on Monday, June 7th, masks (face coverings) will NOT be required to be worn by students and staff in our schools regardless of vaccine status. According to the letter issued by the NYSDOH, mask use will be strongly encouraged indoors but not required for "students, campers, and staff/teachers/counselors who are not fully vaccinated." If a parent would prefer that their child continue to wear a mask, they are free to make that choice. The same applies to district personnel. Therefore, indoor masks are now optional, however, all other mitigation measures remain in place including masks on buses and desk shields in spaces where eating occurs.
Thank you for your support as we move toward the close of this most challenging year.
Thank you,
Lucille F Iconis -
6/4/21 - District Email
Dear Massapequa Community -
Late this afternoon, the NYS Commissioner of Health wrote to the director of the CDC requesting that, pending any CDC objection, the indoor mask requirement for students and adults in schools be eliminated regardless of vaccination status.
Although schools will be permitted to institute stricter guidance, the Massapequa Public Schools will NOT be doing so. Once the finalized guidance is issued by the Governor or NYDOH, we will immediately share this information with the community. Thank you for your patience.....we are almost there.
Lucille F. Iconis
Superintendent of Schools
Massapequa Public Schools -
5/28/21 - District Email
Dear Massapequa School Community,
Over the last several days I’ve received numerous emails from parents questioning why masks are still required to be worn in our schools. I’d like to take this opportunity to clarify information related to this matter. Please know that we share your frustration and understand your concerns when mask mandates are being eliminated in many settings except in public schools. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) have both been clear that existing school guidance must be followed through the end of the year. Current NYSDOH regulations require masks to be worn in New York State public schools, and as Superintendent of Schools I am required to implement public health regulations mandated by this agency. Although personal opinions on the wearing of masks in public schools may differ from NYSDOH regulation, the district is not permitted to violate New York State Public Health Law.
As you are aware, students may now lower masks during outdoor recess, physical education classes, and any instructional class taught outside with requisite distancing in place. This same rule will apply to our upcoming Summer Recreation and Sports Camps. Through the support of the community, our classrooms are now outfitted with central air conditioning, which helps keep everyone more comfortable during the warmer months.
Just as I have communicated with government officials, parents wishing to eliminate the mask mandate and voice their concerns are encouraged to write to Governor Cuomo, the NYSDOH, and County Executive Laura Curran.
The 2020-21 school year has been unprecedented to say the least, and with the support of faculty, staff, parents and students, Massapequa has led the way in providing a gradual and safe return to normalcy for our students. Hopefully, the 2021-22 school year will be a year when we are ALL able to return to normal. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Lucille F. Iconis
Superintendent of Schools -
5/7/21 - District Email
Dear Massapequa School Community,
At the School Board Meeting on May 6th, the district presented proposed revisions to the 2020/21 COVID reopening plan. The proposed revisions only effect May and June 2021 and require input from school stakeholders and community members. Information regarding the proposed revisions can be found in the online presentation attached to the School Board Meeting agenda for May 6th. The presentation slides as well as a short survey can also be found using the links below. We ask that if you have not already done so, please complete the survey by Tuesday, May 11 by 4 PM.
The Board of Education Presentation
The revisions only effect the remainder of the 2020/21 school year. The district has not received reopening guidance from the NYS Education Department for the 2021/22 school year.
Sincerely,
The Massapequa School District -
5/4/21 - District Email
Dear Massapequa School Community,
Please be advised that the district will be presenting proposed revisions to the 2020/21 COVID reopening plan at the next School Board Meeting on May 6th at 8pm. The proposed revisions only effect May and June 2021 and require input from school stakeholders and community members. Information regarding the proposed revisions can be found in the online presentation attached to the School Board Meeting agenda for May 6th. The revisions only effect the remainder of the 2020/21 school year. The district has not received reopening guidance from the NYS Education Department for the 2021/22 school year.
Sincerely,
The Massapequa School District -
2/25/21 - District Email
Dear Parents/Guardians:
There has been some confusion about the quarantine period for students returning to school after traveling from a noncontiguous state, US territory or CDC level 2 or higher country. Please be advised that in order to test out of the mandatory 10-day quarantine period, the following conditions must be met:
- Obtain a test within three (3) days of departure from the out-of-state location prior to arrival in New York.
- Upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three (3) days.
- On day four (4) of quarantine, the traveler must obtain another COVID test. If both tests are negative, the traveler may end quarantine and return to school.
- Traveler must provide the school with written documentation of both negative tests.
- If the traveler does NOT test prior to leaving the out-of-state location, they must quarantine for the full ten (10) days.
Additional information can be found by visiting: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
The Massapequa School District -
1/15/21 Elementary Email
