Updated Mask Guidance, March 4, 2022

March 4, 2022
Dear CVMS Community,
We have an important announcement for you, based on recent additional guidance issued about masking in schools by the New York State Department of Health. New information was issued at 9:55PM this past Tuesday, unfortunately after we made our original decision about masking at CVMS. The guidance significantly changed the definitions of risk categories, alleviating our concerns about positivity and transmission rates, and justifying a change in mask policy.
Effective Monday, March 7, 2022, masking will become a parent/family choice, in other words, masking will be optional, based on your personal preference. We have attached documentation for your review.
Please know, there will be exceptions to the mask optional choice policy. One example will occur when Lower Elementary students have individual/small group lessons with Mrs. Eberhard. As her families know, she had cancer surgery in November 2021, and she is now in the midst of follow-up treatment. She is immunocompromised and it is essential that she protect her health so she can complete her treatment on schedule. We will ask that students mask in this situation.
Additionally, New York State has outlined exception conditions when masking is mandatory or strongly recommended. We will also follow the new guidelines and require masking of individuals on return to school during days 6-10 of an isolation period and on days 1-10 following an exposure.
We ask that families discuss their wishes regarding masking with their child/ren. Henceforth, if your student is wearing a mask or not wearing a mask, our staff will assume that this was a family decision. Other than this change to our masking policy, all other COVID health and safety protocols remain in place such as carline, temperature checks, extended break testing, etc. The attached FAQ document from the NYSED is helpful in answering many of the questions you may have.temperature checks, extended break testing, etc. The attached FAQ document from the NYSED is helpful in answering many of the questions you may have.
As always, we will continue to work with our local county health officials as COVID health and safety protocols evolve. We anticipate further updates regarding testing, quarantine rules, and other COVID prevention strategies. If/When those changes are made, we will update the community as to the newest guidance and rules.
The past two years have been unlike any other, and while all facets of our society have been affected, the in-person education of children has been one of the most challenging.
The health and safety of our students and staff is always our highest priority. We would appreciate your cooperation as we work hard daily to educate and care for our children.
Sincerely yours,
Maggie Jones, President David Weber, Treasurer
David Hanna, Vice President Mike Brommer, Facilities Committee Chair
Liz Corveleyn, Secretary Marcy Cathey, Head of School