The following letter was emailed to families this evening regarding the Governor's letter on masking inconsistencies:
Dear Wayland-Cohocton Families:
As you are aware the Governor’s office sent a letter late Friday afternoon to the CDC noting inconsistencies in recent masking guidance. Specifically, they stated that the NYS Department of Health would drop the masking requirement for schools starting Monday, unless the CDC could produce scientific evidence to reverse their new recommendation. This letter and the headlines have created confusion and misinformation.
Regardless of the headlines, the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) has yet to update their mask guidance! They are however considering changing their mask guidelines for schools. To clarify the confusion that this has caused, the New York State Education Department just released this statement. This came directly from NYSED:
"... According to conversations with Executive staff, the intent of this letter was to obtain a response from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding differing standards for summer camps and schools; it has not changed any existing arrangements. Therefore, schools should continue to operate under their existing procedures until further notice. No changes have been, or will be, made by the Executive until after Monday June 7 to afford the CDC an opportunity to respond to the letter."
I will update everyone if new guidance is actually issued. For Monday, and until guidance is updated, our current procedures will stay in place. However, given the anticipation of higher temperatures this week, students and employees, while outdoors, will be provided more frequent and longer mask breaks.
Sincerely,
Eileen Feinman
Superintendent of Schools