Summer Update August 7 2020

August 7, 2020

Dear KLSD Community,

Before providing an update on school reopening, I want to acknowledge that many in our community remain without power at home (2 of our 5 schools are also still without power). On top of all the other challenges of the last five months, we add this one. I thank our Town Supervisors for providing frequent updates and doing all they can to accelerate the pace of work from the utility companies. Thank you to all community members for helping friends and neighbors manage through this latest challenge. I hope everyone remains safe and well.

Earlier today, Governor Cuomo announced that so long as coronavirus transmission rates remain low enough and so long as individual school district reopening plans are sufficient, schools will be allowed to open for in-person learning this fall. We have not yet received any feedback on the plans we published on our website last Friday. If and when we do, it will be our goal to respond as quickly as possible so that we stay on track for opening.

The Governor did not suggest any changes to social distancing requirements. As a result, we believe our only option for in-person learning is the hybrid plan posted on our website.

Governor Cuomo did announce some additional requirements today. Namely, we must post the following on our website:

  • A plan for COVID-19 testing of students and staff
  • A plan for contact tracing in the event of a positive test
  • A plan for remote learning

Prior to today’s announcement, guidance from the State led us to believe that our County Department of Health would take the lead on testing and contact tracing. Be assured that we’ll now work with Westchester DOH to be in compliance with the State’s requirements.

Additionally, Governor Cuomo directed districts to schedule at least three public discussion sessions between now and August 21 to communicate our plans to parents and other members of the community and to answer questions. We will be in touch early next week with dates and times for these meetings.

Finally, we have added Frequently Asked Questions to our website. This is our effort to answer those questions you have been sending us. I hope you find them helpful.

I wish everyone in our community well.

Yours,

Andrew Selesnick, Superintendent of Schools