Fall 2021 Reopening Updates

New health and safety measures implemented through a layered approach will be enforced during in-person learning to minimize the potential for transmission.

FALL 2021 REOPENING UPDATES AS OF AUGUST 30, 2021

- The universal mask mandate in schools announced by the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) in May will continue to be enforced. All students and staff will be required to wear a mask when school is in session.

- There is a city-wide vaccination mandate for all school employees, who must receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by September 27 and indicate proof through a vaccination card or Excelsior pass to the NYCDOE vaccination portal.

- Students and staff members will be required to complete a daily screening for COVID-19 symptoms before entering the building.

- Parents will need to provide consent for students to participate in COVID-19 testing, which will occur every other week in school buildings and randomly test 10 percent of all consented students. The form can be filled out using a New York City Schools Account.

- The CDC recommends that students maintain a distance of 3 feet apart at all times.

- Stuyvesant has taken efforts to follow the CDC’s Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools through screening, testing, improving ventilation systems, promoting proper handwashing and respiratory etiquette, requiring students and teachers to stay at home when sick, contact tracing, and following disinfection procedures.

- In the event that there is a positive case of COVID-19 within the last 24 hours, the school is required to clean and disinfect the space as soon as possible. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will decide if schools will be closed due to COVID-19 transmission rates.

- There will be two HEPA air purifiers per classroom and office space in the building to filter air along with MERV 13 filters and open dampers to maximize airflow and ventilation.

- Spit guards and barriers will be installed in music classrooms.

- Hand sanitizer dispensers will be accessible in classrooms and stations around the building.

- Water bottle filler machines will be installed on the second, third, fifth, and sixth floors.

- The two building entrances will be used for entrance and dismissal. Stuyvesant also plans to use outdoor space for lunch or physical education classes.

For more information about COVID-19 and schools reopening, check out:

https://vaccine.schools.nyc/vaccine for vaccine information.

http://www.nysed.gov/common/nysed/files/programs/back-school/nysed-health-and-safety-guide-for-the-2021-2022-school-year.pdf for health and safety information related to school reopenings.

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/messages-for-families for Chancellor Meisha Porter’s Letter to Families regarding school reopenings.

http://schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting for COVID-19 testing.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html for COVID-19 prevention in schools.

PSAL Sports Mandates as of August 20, 2021

- Students and staff participating in high-risk PSAL sports this year are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Such sports include but are not limited to football, volleyball, bowling, basketball, wrestling, lacrosse, stunt, and rugby. All participants must upload proof of their vaccination through the DOE’s COVID-19 vaccination portal.

- To follow the New York State Department of Health guidance, players, coaches, and other individuals not engaged in the sport are required to wear face coverings. Fully vaccinated participants in high-risk PSAL sports are not required to wear masks as long as the sport is played outside.

- Unvaccinated participants are required to get their first COVID-19 vaccine doses by the first day of competitive play.

- Students may be allowed to remove their masks for a little period of time, called “mask breaks.” Schools may offer them during practices, but they should not last for more than five minutes.

- If a school, district, or city-wide closure occurs, PSAL activities in affected schools will be suspended for the duration of the closure.

- All players and coaches will be subject to regular COVID-19 testing. A student who tests positive for COVID-19 will be unable to participate in activities while in quarantine. All participants on the team, including players and coaches, must also self-quarantine for 10 days.

- No spectators are allowed during any PSAL activities.

- Students are responsible for bringing their own hydration fluids to PSAL activities. Sharing hydration fluid, such as water bottles and coolers, and the use of water fountains are strictly not permitted.

- Personal items must never be shared between PSAL participants unless they have been properly cleaned and disinfected between use.

For more information about PSAL sports, check out:

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/sports-and-staying-active/public-schools-athletic-league on PSAL and COVID-19 safety.

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/doe-homecoming-health-and-safety-guide on DOE Homecoming Health and Safety.