CALENDAR CLARIFICATION
Unfortunately, we need to amend this year's calendar again to pull back the Friday and Tuesday of Memorial Day weekend. We have used the following snow days this year:
Monday, January 10 Snow Day 1
Thursday, February 3 2 hour delay - moved to full day (Snow Day 2)
Friday, February 4 Snow Day 3
Friday, April 8th Snow Day 4 (Flooding)
Monday, April 18th Snow Day 5 (Give back day)
Tuesday, April 19th Snow Day 6
In response to the unanticipated District closures due to impactful weather events, the District must revert to its previous calendar. In order to maintain the 180-day calendar for state aid purposes, Friday (5/27) and Tuesday (5/31) will now need to be full in-session days of attendance for students and staff. We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused. Thank you
NOTICE REGARDING RECENT NYS MASKING PROTOCOLS & TESTING KITS
March 1, 2022
Dear Delaware Academy Families,
On Sunday evening, I shared that based on current CDC recommendations and Governor Holchul’s announcement, Delaware Academy will be shifting to a “mask optional” status beginning tomorrow, March 2, 2022. On Monday, we received written notification from Delaware County Public Health that, “it is the decision of each individual school district to make changes to their mask policies going forward.”
As of the writing of this letter, we have not received any additional clarification on revised requirements from the NYS Department of Health. Therefore, given that Delaware County is currently identified as an area of Low Risk, the following updates will be effective beginning on Wednesday, March 2.
•Use of masks in schools, including on school buses and in all extra-curricular and athletic activities will be optional for all students and staff.
•Masks will continue to be available at school and on school buses for anyone who wants one.
•Use of masks will be required for anyone who has been identified for quarantine and/or Test-to-Stay due to exposure to COVID-19 for the required quarantine period as per Public Health.
•Masks will be required for any visitors to DASH as per Bassett School Based Health.
•Anyone who wishes to wear a mask at any time will be welcome to do so.
•Ridicule or harassment of anyone based on their mask choice will not be tolerated.
•We will comply with the masking requirements on any school trips to other schools, sites, or locations that require masks.
•All other mitigation protocols remain intact including protocols for cleaning, social distancing, contact tracing, and weekly testing for unvaccinated staff. This service is also available to students with parent/guardian consent.
This is subject to change should the district receive updated directives from the NYS Department of Health, or if Delaware County becomes designated as an area of High Risk.
I remain proud of how our community has placed their trust and confidence in our district as we have navigated each change this year. Parents and guardians, please discuss your family’s choice with your children and share your expectation for respectful behaviors toward peers who may make choices that are different from theirs. I look forward to continued positive steps out of this pandemic.
Sincerely,
Kelly M. Zimmerman
Superintendent