COVID-19 District Information and Resources

  • Welcome Back & Updated News on Masks

    Dear BCSD Community,

    I hope all members of our community found time to relax, recharge and enjoy the winter break. 

    As anticipated, this afternoon, we received some welcome and promising news from Governor Hochul. Governor Hochul announced that the NYS indoor mask requirement for schools would be lifted this Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Beginning this Wednesday, masks will be optional in all BCSD buildings. 

    I recognize that while today’s announcement will be welcome news for some, it may also raise concern for others. We will be honoring the individual choice made by students, staff and visitors to our buildings. I encourage all families to have conversations at home regarding your own level of comfort and the choice you intend to make for your children in anticipation of Wednesday. Our staff will be planning to support this shift in policy as well. The mask mandate is being lifted based on CDC Covid community metrics: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html. The CDC has also stated that masks will no longer be required on school transportation unless required in writing by the NYSDOH or the WCDOH.  

    I anticipate further guidance from WCDOH and NYSDOH tomorrow and Tuesday. In today’s announcement, the Governor also indicated that the mask rules could be amended at any time due to changing conditions and circumstances. As we receive additional information outlining changes in procedures and practices associated with the mask adjustment announced today by Governor Hochul, I will continue to share this information with our community. 

    Please know that we will continue to require masks in our schools and on district transportation tomorrow and Tuesday, and we anticipate implementing a mask optional policy beginning this Wednesday. I humbly ask for your patience and cooperation for two more days so that we can receive further guidance to plan accordingly and as we continue to operate in the safest and most respectful manner for all of our students and staff.  

    All of our teachers, staff, administrators and I look forward to welcoming everyone back to school tomorrow morning.

     

    Sincerely,

    Joel Adelberg

     

    Vaccine Clinic Registration Information

    We are pleased to provide you with important registration information for the Vaccination Clinic we will be offering on January 31, 2022, in partnership, once again, with the Westchester County Department of Health.

    Please use this link for important information regarding how to pre-register for the upcoming BCSD Vaccination Clinic, taking place on Monday, January 31, 2022, from 3:00-7:00 at Fox Lane High School Library. Pre-Registration is required. Please note that first and/or second vaccines will be available to any students, staff or family members age 5 and older, and boosters will also be available to anyone (16+ years of age). Registration is open now.

     

    As of Aug 27, 2021 - Effective immediately, in accordance with the Commissioner's Determination issued pursuant to 10 NYCRR 2.60, any person over the age of 2 (including all students, personnel, teachers, administrators, contractors, and visitors) must wear masks at all times indoors in P-12 school buildings, regardless of vaccination status. People with medical or developmental conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask may be exempted from mask requirements, as documented by a medical provider. People do not need to wear masks when eating, drinking, singing, or playing a wind instrument; when masks are removed for these purposes, individuals must be spaced six feet apart. All mask requirements must be applied consistently with any state and federal law (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act).

     

    BCSD 2021-22 Opening of Schools Update

    View the BCSD 2021-22 Opening of Schools Update from the August 18, 2021 Board of Education meeting here.

    Please note that the information in this presentation reflects the most current guidance and data at the time of the meeting. It is a “living document” and we will continue to provide the most timely information to our community. Plans are subject to change per state or federal guidance and/or if conditions present locally that require us to “pivot” as necessary.

      2021-22 District Communications

      Community COVID Updates

      Additional Resources

      What to Do If a Student Tests Positive

      Test to Stay FAQs

      • The Westchester County Department of Health has authorized the BCSD to begin using a Test to Stay program. Test to Stay, TTS, allows unvaccinated students, teachers, and staff who have been exposed to a COVID-positive individual to be tested daily, rather than having to miss school. Students can continue to go to school if the daily test is negative and they show no symptoms. Any family whose student is notified they must quarantine due to exposure is eligible to participate in the program. 

         

        Bedford Central School District TTS Program FAQ 

        What is TTS? TTS is a strategy being used by school districts across the country to allow unvaccinated, asymptomatic students who have been exposed to a COVID-positive individual to continue to attend school by conducting daily rapid COVID testing before the start of the school day. Participation in the TTS program is completely optional and is the choice of the individual family. Students, teachers, and staff who are not vaccinated or have not completed a primary vaccine series who came into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should quarantine for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after their last close contact. These individuals could be eligible for Test to Stay programs that would allow them to stay in the school setting during the quarantine period.

        Where does the testing occur? Testing for students participating in TTS will be administered at the nurse’s office before the start of school on school days.

        How does my child participate in the TTS program? Once a student is identified as a close contact of a COVID-positive individual, the parent/guardian will be notified of the exposure. If the student is showing any symptoms of COVID they must quarantine for 5 days. When notified of the exposure, the parent/guardian will receive information regarding the TTS program. If the student is not showing symptoms of COVID, the parent/guardian may choose for the student to participate in the TTS program. The students may remain in school as long as the student’s test results are negative. In the event a student tests positive, the student will be isolated and will need to go home and follow the quarantine protocols. A signed Parent Permission Slip will be required to participate in the TTS program. Permission slips will be available with your school nurse.

        Is there a fee to participate in the TTS Program? No, participation is free. 

        What if I choose not to have my student participate in the program? Students will be required to quarantine for 5 days after exposure per the DOH if they do not participate in the TTS program.

        How many days must the student be tested? Students must be tested three times over the five days following exposure to COVID. Exposure day is considered Day # 0. Students may not miss a day of testing. Non-school (i.e., weekend days or holidays) are not counted in the five day testing period. Tests will not be administered on weekends or holidays. After the five days, students may attend school without being tested.

        What if my student is identified as being exposed and is notified days after the exposure date? Testing will be adjusted accordingly and students will need to test for the remaining days in order to continue to attend in-person school.

        What test is used for the TTS program? The iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test will be used. The test is a nasal swab and is administered quickly and non-invasively. Once the test is administered, results are available in approximately 15 minutes.   

        How will I know the results of my student’s test? Results will be available 15 minutes after the test. Results for elementary students will be communicated with the student’s parent/guardian clearing them for attendance. At the secondary level parents will be notified only if there is a positive test result.

        What happens if the student tests positive during the daily testing period? If a student tests positive during the testing period then they will be required to quarantine for 5 days. 

        What if my student was COVID-positive in the last 90 days? A student who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 90 days is not required to quarantine or participate in testing. 

        What happens if the student begins to show symptoms of COVID? Any individual who is showing COVID symptoms should isolate immediately and consult with a healthcare provider for testing recommendations.

        If my child takes a PCR test and is negative, can he/she exit the TTS program and return to in-person school? No, a negative PCR test result will not allow an exposed student to return to in-person school or exit TTS or quarantine.

        Does a student who has been exposed to COVID in their home by a family member qualify for TTS? As complete isolation of family members in the same home is difficult to maintain, after seeking advice from the Westchester County Department of Health, we have determined that exposure within a household will not qualify an individual for the TTS program.

        Does an individual who is fully vaccinated need to quarantine and/or test after exposure to a COVID-positive individual? A fully-vaccinated individual is defined as one who is two full weeks past the second vaccination or booster dose. A fully-vaccinated individual who is not showing any symptoms is not required to quarantine nor participate in TTS as per the Department of Health.

        *The NYSDOH recently clarified eligibility for participation in the TTS program. TTS only applies to unvaccinated BCSD students and staff for in-school exposures. Students exposed to COVID outside of school are not eligible to participate in TTS.