June 8, 2021
Dear Worcester Families,
We have received information that the New York State K-12 reopening guidance has been updated so that face masks are no longer required to be worn when students are outside, including when participating in outdoor sports. Face masks must continue to be worn inside school buildings and on buses. Effective today, June 8, 2021 WCS students will no longer be required to wear masks when outdoors, or when participating in outdoor sports. Additionally, as the heat has increased we are encouraging teachers to have mask breaks outside where students can be socially distant and safely remove their masks. I will be sure to share any additional information as it becomes available.
Respectfully,
Tim Gonzales
Superintendent
Update 6-6-21
June 6, 2021
Dear Worcester Families,
This letter is to provide an update on mask use in K-12 schools and to follow up with the information previously shared regarding Dr. Zucker’s letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As we have closely monitored the situation we have been in communication with our legal counsel and the New York State Education Department.
Our legal counsel has expressly stated that until written guidance or an Executive Order is issued relative to a change in requirements for mask-wearing on school property, the status quo remains: all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask on school property.
Additionally, NYSED has been in communication with the Governor’s Executive Staff regarding the letter from Dr. Zucker the New York State Commissioner of Health. We received notice this afternoon that the outcome of those conversations is schools should continue to operate under their existing procedures until further notice. No changes have been, or will be, made by the state until after Monday, June 7th to allow the CDC an opportunity to respond to the letter. Therefore, the requirement for all WCS students, faculty, staff, and visitors to wear masks on school property will continue per our reopening plan and until further notice.
We will continue to monitor this situation closely and communicate any updates as soon as they become available. As we are in the final days of the school year, I want to thank you for your continued support and patience. We are among the minority of schools in the state that have remained with in-person learning for as long as we have. I encourage all of us to stay true to the practices that have kept us going this far. We are almost there!
Also, I would like to thank you for taking the time to complete our very brief mask survey, your feedback is of great importance to us! If you have not had the opportunity to complete the survey, please take a moment to follow the link.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsjGoHxz7KWdg4pwxNbFXNeBugOUyEMeHgoBwxZH6ZVINqqg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Respectfully,
Tim Gonzales
Superintendent