Dear MCS Families,
The statewide universal mask mandate for schools ended today. Mask wearing is optional. Students, staff and visitors are no longer required to wear a mask in our school buildings or school buses. MCS will stay on task with enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures to provide a safe in-person learning environment.
On March 1, The NYS Department of Health issued the updated mask guidance in this press release. The DOH also provided this FAQ sheet for masking and testing.
Please be aware of the situations where mask safety protocols are in effect:
- Regardless of vaccination status, if a student tests positive for COVID-19 they must isolate for a full five days. Students may return to school after day five if they are asymptomatic or if symptoms are resolving. For days 6-10 following a positive test, students are required to wear a mask in school, including on the school bus.
- If a student has been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, it is highly recommended they wear a mask for a full 10 days following that exposure.
Testing, Symptoms, Exposure
- State and local health officials continue to recommend testing for COVID-19 following a possible exposure. At-home COVID-19 tests are available at school for families and staff. If you need a test, please contact your building’s school nurse at 518-827-3600: Brittany Pickett for the ES (ext. 1686) and Jennifer Adams for the HS (ext. 2609).
- Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home from school regardless of vaccination status or recent infection until tested and/or isolated for five days.
The district remains in close contact with state and local health officials and will update staff and families if anything changes. We will continue to notify the families of students who have potentially been exposed. You can track confirmed cases through the state COVID-19 dashboard. The link to the dashboard is located in the Special Alert section at the top of our website.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work to keep our students and staff healthy and in school. If you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19 testing or other health and safety protocols, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, your building principal, or our school nurses.
Sincerely,
Brian Dunn
Superintendent of Schools