March 2022
Snow Day Givebacks—
The Delaware Academy Board of Education approved the instructional calendar for the 2022-2023 school year which can be downloaded HERE. In addition, the Board accepted recommendations to give back three unused snow days for this school year as follows:
2021-2022:
Monday, April 18 - This extends Spring Break now to include the day after Easter Sunday as a day off.
Friday, May 27 and Tuesday, May 31 - This extends Memorial Day weekend
In the event that we need to use an emergency closure day, they will be rescinded in the following order: 4/18, 5/31, 5/27. We hope you will use this extra time to rest and rejuvenate again with family and friends. No more snow!!
February 2022
At-Home Test Kit Distribution
Governor Hochul recently announced another mass distribution of test kits for families across NYS prior to the February break. Therefore, Delaware Academy will be hosting another test kit distribution program. Test kits may be picked up next Tuesday (2/15) and Thursday (2/17) evening in the lobbies of the Elementary and High School from 4:00-6:00 pm and will be issued one per student living in your household.
Tuesday January 25, 2022
Masking Protocol Awareness
Dear Delaware Academy Families,
Last evening, a State Supreme Court Judge in Nassau County issued a ruling regarding the New York State mask mandate in schools. In response, all school superintendents in New York State received the following directive from the New York State Education Department:
“The State Education Department understands that Nassau County Supreme Court has ruled that the Department of Health exceeded its authority in enacting the mask regulation, 10 NYCRR 2.60, in Demetriou et al. v. New York State Dep’t of Health et al. This regulation is the subject of conflicting decisions, insofar as Albany County Supreme Court recently upheld the regulation in Massapequa UFSD et al. v. Hochul, et al. It is SED’s understanding that the New York State Department of Health will appeal the Nassau County Supreme Court decision, which will result in an automatic stay that will unambiguously restore the mask rule until such time as an appellate court issues a further ruling. Therefore, schools must continue to follow the mask rule.”
This ruling is currently under review due to the state’s motion to repeal this decision based on conflicting case law. We have received additional communications from the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA), NYS Parent Teacher Association (NYS PTA), and our school district attorneys who have interpreted and advised similarly.
Throughout the past two years, Delaware Academy CSD has followed all current directives as issued by NYSED, NYSDOH, and Delaware County Public Health. As soon as the Board and Administration are appropriately advised on this issue by these authorities, I will convey any changes in our practices to our community. At this time, the mask mandate remains in effect at Delaware Academy.
Thursday, January 13, 2022
A Move to Remote Instruction
Dear Delaware Academy Families,
Given the substantial rise in cases this week among students and staff, especially within the past two days, we are going to move to a Remote-Only status for Friday, 1/14 and Tuesday, 1/18/22. This will provide us five consecutive days to address any emerging cases, reduce the chances for transmission, and contain spread of the virus in school over a typical quarantine period. Students who attend BOCES CTE or full day BOCES will also be asynchronous, again to reduce the potential for spread of the virus that is occuring in both locations.
We will proceed in the following format:
Friday, 1/14/22: All Asynchronous - please initiate the plans for one day of asynchronous instruction that have been provided by your child's teacher(s)
Monday, 1/17/22: No School - MLK Day
Tuesday, 1/18/22: All Synchronous instruction
- Elementary - Please have your children log-on for virtual instruction with their teacher
- MS/HS - Please have your children log-on for virtual instruction and follow their daily schedule
All extra-curricular and athletic activities and events occuring on Friday through Tuesday at 2:45pm must also be canceled as per NYS rules and regulations. I apologize for the inconvenience that this may cause for our families. While this is not ideal, and I hoped we would not need to transition in this year, we remain committed to decision-making that prioritizes the health and safety of our students and staff. Please see attached for this week's Covid Update letter.