The health and safety of our students, staff, and their families are our top priorities. This reopening plan incorporates recommendations and guidance from the New York State Education Department (NYSED), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), as well as Governor Kathy Hochul. The New Paltz Central School District (NPCSD) will continue to work with the Ulster County Department of Health (UCDOH) for local guidance. In the development of their recommendations, NYSED and Ulster County referenced materials from the CDC and the AAP. Additional community input was shared by local pediatric medical providers. This proposed plan defines measures that will be implemented for our school buildings to operate by offering full-time, in-person learning.  

Fredricka Butler, Director of Student Support Services, will serve as the District’s COVID-19 Coordinator.  In this capacity, Ms. Butler serves as a central contact and communicator for families, staff, the Board of Education, and other school community members and will ensure the District is in compliance and operating per locally established guidelines. Ms. Butler can be reached at (845)256-4046 or by emailing fbutler@newpaltz.k12.ny.us 

The following sections pertain to students, faculty, staff, and other individuals to ensure appropriate protocols are used to protect against the transmission of the COVID-19 virus when on school grounds and in school buildings. 

This plan is subject to change and will be monitored and evaluated regularly 

in order to adapt to changing conditions. 

COVID-19 symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus and include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body ache
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

In the event of any of these symptoms, we require all staff and students to stay home from school and closely monitor the symptoms and consult with a Health Care Provider for advice as needed. 

The development of this plan was grounded in the following guiding principles: 

• The School District is a vital stakeholder in the broader community health goals for Ulster County, and families of students;
• In-person instruction is an essential part of student wellbeing, socialization, and learning;
• Supervision of students, effective communication, and creative uses of our physical spaces will help to mitigate potential risks of virus spread to keep our schools open. 

Any decision about reducing in-person education or closing the schools will be communicated using School Messenger, the software used to send texts, emails, and recorded phone messages to our staff and families. We will also use our website, posted videos, and social media to inform our staff and families. 

All current and past communications about COVID-19 case notifications, closures, and more will be included on the District webpage.  

Building Principals will provide communication to families regarding their buildings’ processes and procedures, which will vary from school to school. 

Age-appropriate signage and visual reminders to support protocols and procedures will be utilized throughout the ongoing pandemic response, as well as verbal reminders in classrooms and announcements, or written reminders for parents and guardians. 

Decisions about reducing in-person education or closing the schools may be made in consultation with the UCDOH and/or the NYSDOH. There are many factors involved in the decision-making process. Some of these include executive orders, community infection rates, building infection rates, and timing (to allow for cleaning and disinfecting). Decisions including the rationale shall be communicated through the channels of communication listed above. 

The wellbeing, health, and safety of our students, our employees, and their families is essential for a productive learning environment. The NPCSD will follow the CDC guidelines as they relate to the multi-layered approach to promoting a safe environment. The strategies include but are not limited to: 

• Monitoring Community Transmission
• Promoting vaccination
• Consistent and proper use of masks 
• Maintaining physical distancing
• Continuing the use of good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
• Encouraging all members of the school community to stay at home when they are ill and to get tested
• Continuing contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine in collaboration with the UCDOH
• Maintaining hygiene thorough cleaning protocols
• The usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 
• Weekly COVID-19 diagnostic screening 

The NPCSD will obtain and maintain adequate supplies of face coverings for staff and students who forget their masks, as well as identify PPE needed in the Health Offices. 

The level of community transmission can be monitored by using Ulster County’s COVID-19 Data Tracker. The UCDOH will advise the District if significant changes arise that could impact our students and staff.

• Indoor:  All NPCSD students, staff, and visitors are required to wear a mask at all times while in our buildings and on our district transportation (in accordance with NYS Commissioner determination and CDC order for public transportation). 
• Students will be allowed to remove face coverings for meals and designated mask breaks. Those breaks in the classroom will be determined by the classroom teacher. Staff will consider factors such as a child’s age and other needs in determining mask breaks. 
• Individuals with medical or developmental conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask may be exempted from mask requirements, with proper medical documentation. 
• Outdoor: Masking is currently optional (student and staff choice) for all outdoor activities. 
• The CDC recommends that people who are not fully vaccinated should wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings or during activities that involve sustained close contact with other people. 
• Fully vaccinated people may choose to wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised. 
• Acceptable face coverings include, but are not limited to cloth face coverings, homemade sewn masks, and surgical masks that cover both the mouth and nose. Bandannas and face shields* are not acceptable face coverings. 
• Face coverings will be made available to staff and students by the District if needed.

Consistent and correct mask use is particularly important indoors and when physical distancing cannot be maintained, as well as in areas of high transmission of COVID-19. When teachers, staff, and students (ages 2 years and older) consistently and correctly wear a mask, they protect others as well as themselves! 

Physical barriers may be used in situations when masks are temporarily removed. 

*Face shields worn without other face coverings are not considered adequate protection or source control against COVID-19 but may be used for instruction or interventions that require visualization of the movement of the lips and/or mouths (e.g. speech therapy). These alternate coverings may also be used for certain students (e.g. hearing impaired) who benefit from being able to see more of the face of the faculty or staff member. These masks may also be used for Instrument, theatrical, or music performances.

To read more about this guidance, visit this NYS School Guidance document. 

Classroom Settings, Cafeteria, and Transportation

The NPCSD will maintain at least three [3] feet of physical distance between students in classroom settings, to the extent possible, combined with indoor mask-wearing, to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. 

• We make every effort to limit the number of students, teachers, and staff who come in contact with each other, especially when it is challenging to maintain physical distance. 
• The following distances will be observed to the extent possible:
• Six [6] feet minimum in classrooms where students are projecting the voice (e.g., singing), playing a wind instrument, or involved in aerobic activity resulting in heavy breathing (e.g. participating in physical education classes) and unable to wear a mask.
• Six [6] feet between any adult and student.
• Six [6] feet between adults who are not fully vaccinated.
• Six [6] feet between the performers and the audience. 
• Safety drills may be modified to support physical distancing. 
• Educators and staff members will help students understand physical distancing requirements.  
• Pursuant to the CDC's recommendations, physical distancing is not required on school buses (however wearing a mask is mandatory). 
• Every effort is made to maximize physical distance as much as possible when students are eating, especially indoors. Additional spaces and outdoor seating areas are used to help facilitate distancing. 

Individuals must practice good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. 

• The NPCSD encourages adults and students to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  
• Staff will remind everyone in the school to wash their hands frequently and assist young children with handwashing. 
• The NPCSD will ensure there are adequate facilities and supplies for hand washing including soap and water;
• Use of paper towels or touch-free paper towel dispensers where feasible 
• Use of no-touch/foot pedal trash can where feasible;

• Students and employees should wash their hands as follows
• Upon entering the building and classrooms;
• Before and after snacks and lunch;
• After using the bathroom;
• After sneezing, wiping, or blowing the nose or coughing into hands;
• Anytime hands are soiled;
• When hand washing is not available use a hand sanitizer.

• At times when hand washing is not convenient or practically available students and staff may use a hand sanitizer.  In order for the sanitizer to be effective, it must contain a minimum of 60% alcohol. 
• Signage will  be placed near sinks and sanitizer dispensers indicating soiled hands should be washed with soap and water;
• The District will prioritize placement of sanitizer dispensers to be located near entrances and throughout common areas. Classrooms will also be supplied with sanitizer. 

The New Paltz Central School District will ensure adherence to hygiene and cleaning and disinfection requirements as established by the NYSDOH and the CDC, including “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for COVID-19.” This includes:  

• Disinfecting high-touch areas* in all of the schools throughout the day while school is in session 
• Disinfecting high-touch areas in the bathrooms several times a day  
• Cleaning and sanitizing eating surfaces in cafeterias after each use 
• Adhering to special cleaning and disinfection protocols in nurse’s offices and isolation areas
• Cleaning and disinfecting all high-touch areas each night

*Examples of facility types where cleaning and disinfection frequency will be distinguished include:

• Bathrooms
• Athletic training rooms, locker rooms (if used)
• Health offices, isolation rooms
• Administrative offices (main office, reception area)
• Frequently touched surfaces in common areas (door handles, elevator buttons, copy machine keypads, etc.)
• Breakrooms
• Cafeterias/Kitchens
• Classrooms
• Maintenance offices and work areas
• Buses, school vehicles
• Libraries
• Large meeting areas (auditoriums, gymnasiums, music rooms)

If someone is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, the CDC guidelines on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility will be followed. The District will do the following:  

• Close off areas used by the person who is sick.  
• Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person who is sick, such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, and shared electronic equipment like tablets, touch screens, keyboards, remote controls, and copy machines.  
• Employees without close contact with the symptomatic or positive-case person can return to work immediately after disinfection. 
  
  Disinfectants must be products that meet EPA criteria for use against SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and be appropriate for the surface. 

• If a student or staff is exhibiting COVID-19-like symptoms they should not come to school and should contact the School Nurse and their Health Care Provider. Everyone in our school community is encouraged to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms prior to attending school. Parents/guardians are encouraged to monitor their child(ren) for COVID-19 symptoms prior to their child attending school each day.
• If a staff member or student is presenting non-COVID-19 symptoms, such as a muscle injury, they should follow our regular Student Attendance Policy. 
• Everyone in our school community is encouraged to get tested if experiencing symptoms that are compatible with COVID-19, as this will help execute rapid contact tracing and prevent the spread of COVID-19 at school. 
• Students and employees who develop symptoms of illness during the day must be seen by a school nurse who will assess individuals. 
• Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as an approved mask, gloves, and other items will be utilized anytime a nurse engages with individuals. 
• Students exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 must be picked up from school.

• Anytime your child has a fever, and until your child has been fever-free without the use of fever-reducers for at least 24 hours.
• Your child is experiencing any new or worsening COVID-19 symptoms.

• Your child has been in contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. 

In the past 10 days, your child has been tested for COVID-19 and is awaiting results OR has received positive results.

It is extremely important that families and guardians provide the District with up-to-date contact information and emergency contact information of those who will be readily available to pick up a student should it be necessary.

• Isolation rooms will be used in all buildings for individuals who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.
• Isolation rooms will allow for physical distancing, observe stringent disinfection and cleaning protocols, and be supervised by a caring and skilled member of our school community.

• All students who are symptomatic or otherwise sick are required to be picked up by a parent or emergency contact.    
• Parents or emergency contacts picking up symptomatic or otherwise sick students must call the health office when they arrive at the school. Parents and emergency contacts will not be permitted to enter the school building.  
• Symptomatic or otherwise sick students will be brought to the parent or emergency contact’s car by a staff member.  
• Identification of the parent or emergency contact will be checked for students in Grades K-8.  

Staff, parents, and guardians are required to notify the school nurse immediately of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case. 

• The Ulster County Health Department will be notified immediately of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual in school facilities, on school grounds, or in/on school vehicles, including students, employees, and visitors. 
• The District will communicate positive cases among students and employees to the school community via email, and only individuals identified as a close contact to a confirmed positive will be contacted personally. 
• Upon case investigation, any close contact of a positive case will be contacted by phone by a school nurse.  
• A close contact is defined as:
• Someone who was within six [6] feet of an infected person (laboratory-confirmed) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes). An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting from two [2] days before they have any symptoms (or, for asymptomatic patients, two [2] days before the positive specimen collection date) until they meet the criteria for discontinuing home isolation or quarantine. 
• Exception: In the K–12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student if both the infected student and the exposed student(s) correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time.
• This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting.

• Quarantine requirements for close contacts are typically ten [10] days from the date of last exposure while self-monitoring for symptoms occurs for 14 days.
• Except in certain circumstances, people who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should quarantine. However, the following people with recent exposure may be exempt from quarantine:
• People who have been fully vaccinated (meaning 14 days after the second vaccine shot) and are symptom-free; AND if they remain symptom-free, can continue to attend school in person. However, we strongly encourage that they be tested three [3] to five [5] days after exposure and wear a mask indoors for 14 days or until they receive a negative NAAT or PCR diagnostic test result.* 
• People who were previously diagnosed with a lab-confirmed  COVID-19 case within the last three months AND do not have any symptoms associated with COVID-19. 

*Polymerase Chain Reaction test (PCR) or a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) 

The District requires that individuals who were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 complete quarantine and verify they have not developed symptoms before returning to in-person learning.  Employees and students should be symptom-free without the aid of fever-reducing or other medicines before attending work or school. 

The New Paltz Central School District worked closely with UCDOH to develop the following procedures for determining when students and staff who have experienced COVID-19 symptoms can return to school. Students and staff members may not return to school unless 1. Appropriate documentation has been provided; 2. The parent or staff member has spoken with the school nurse; 3. The nurse has cleared the student or staff member to return. 

If a student or staff member is symptomatic following a dose of COVID-19 vaccine, AND their symptoms follow a typical course (three [3] to four [4] days after dosage) then the UCDOH will be notified however will not issue an order to quarantine and proof of vaccination may be accepted to return to school. Given the growing prevalence of breakthrough infections among vaccinated populations nationwide, there is currently no recommended exemption for symptomatic vaccinated people.

If a student or staff member was previously diagnosed with a lab-confirmed case within the last three months AND does not have any symptoms associated with COVID-19 then the UCDOH will be notified however will not issue an order to quarantine. 

• A quarantined staff member or student must obtain a UCDOH-written release from quarantine (“Release from Quarantine”) official document to provide the health office.
• If a student or staff member did not quarantine through the UCDOH, they must remain excluded from school for a minimum of 10 calendar days from symptom onset, prior to returning to school. 
• If the student or staff is symptom-free AND they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines, they may return to school with either a note from the healthcare provider indicating the test was negative OR a copy of the negative test result. 

To read more about these criteria, please visit NYSDOH’s School Guidance document. 

To return to school, provide the following to the school nurse after quarantine or illness: 

• UCDOH Release from Quarantine document

• Copy of negative COVID-19 PCR or NAAT test* OR
• Letter from the child’s doctor showing an alternate diagnosis of a chronic medical condition with unchanged symptoms or a laboratory-confirmed illness AND stating that COVID-19 is not suspected. Please note that medical notes with a diagnosis of headache or viral illness are not acceptable unless they are accompanied by a negative PCR or NAAT test result).

The New Paltz Central School District recognizes the enrichment school-sponsored sports and extracurricular activities provide students. We believe in the value of these enrichment opportunities and the impact they can have on supporting our students' social, emotional, and mental health. 

• Due to increased exhalation that occurs during physical activity, some sports can put players, coaches, trainers, and others at increased risk for getting and spreading COVID-19. Close-contact sports and indoor sports are particularly risky. The NPCSD will advise the community of any changes to the current guidance from The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and the UCDOH. 
• Similar risks may exist for other extracurricular activities, such as band, choir, theater, and school clubs that meet indoors. 

• Students should refrain from these activities when they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and should be tested. 

When considering risks as they relate to specific sports, the NPCSD will consider;

• The setting of the sports event or activity
• The physical closeness of the student-athletes or spectators
• The number of student-athletes or spectators involved
• The level of intensity of the activity
• The duration of time of the activity

The NPCSD will continue to limit visits to “By Appointment Only”, in all of our buildings. This will be strictly adhered to. Nonessential visitors will not be allowed into NPCSD buildings.  

• All visitors must be free from illness and not exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.
• If someone other than a parent or guardian is picking up a child, the person will need to be listed on the emergency card and have identification.  
• All essential (non-medical) items requiring a parent/guardian to deliver should have clear labels and be placed in an identified drop-off area located at the front of the school. Parents/guardians should be prepared to show identification. Individuals dropping off non-medical items will not enter the school building.  
• Inform the main lobby greeter of any medical items being dropped off.  
• At the elementary level, providing food items (such as for class parties, etc.) should be arranged through the main office at least a week prior to drop-off.  
• Contractors and vendors are responsible for their own PPE.  

NYSDOH issued guidance for opening schools issuing a requirement for all school employees, substitutes, student teachers, and contracted employees to engage in weekly COVID-19 screening testing OR be fully vaccinated. See below for the language of this requirement:

Testing Requirement for teachers and staff: P-12 schools are required to ensure teachers and staff, as outlined above, have testing performed for COVID-19 at least once per week when a school is in a geographic area identified by the CDC as having low, moderate, substantial, or high transmission rates. Teachers and staff may be permitted to opt-out of mandatory weekly screening testing if they provide documentation of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as set forth in 10 NYCRR 2.62. Teachers and staff who work at multiple schools do not need to receive multiple tests; they may use one weekly test result to demonstrate to any number of schools where they work that they have fulfilled this requirement. 

The NPCSD will collaborate with community partners such as the Institute for Family Health to conduct weekly COVID-19 diagnostic screenings of unvaccinated staff, vaccinated staff who choose to opt in to the screening program, and those students whose families have enrolled them for participation in order to determine positivity rates within the school buildings. 

The District will open with a full-time, in-person model for all students, K-12.  Extra-curricular activities and interscholastic activities will take place, following any necessary protocols as required. In the event that we are required by state or local agencies to close school due to COVID-related outbreaks, the District or building will shift to remote instruction. 

• Students will shift to live streaming with their teachers on the secondary level and elementary students will follow their daily schedules with live instruction as indicated by their teacher. 
• All teachers will be setting up their Google classrooms early in the school year and will communicate the login information to students and parents in advance of it being needed. 

Tutoring will be provided for students required to be quarantined by the local health department due to contact tracing. 

• Secondary students will receive two [2] hours of remote tutoring for each day in quarantine. 
• Elementary students will receive one [1] hour of remote tutoring for each day in quarantine.
•  In addition, students who are required to quarantine will be provided asynchronous (or offline) work by the classroom teacher. 

Tutoring will not be provided to students who are absent due to COVID-19 or any other illnesses or reasons. Students will have the opportunity to make up work in accordance with the District's Attendance Policy (Policy # 7110). 

• The NPCSD has upgraded the air filters in each building to provide filtered fresh air through HVAC units equipped with MERV-13 filters. These systems provide levels of air exchange that meet or exceed NYS standards. For this reason, it is not necessary nor recommended to open the windows and bring in outside air into classrooms and office spaces, which also brings in pollen, mold spores, and humidity. In addition, opening windows in extreme weather conditions brings in large amounts of frigid or hot air that makes it impossible for the HVAC equipment to condition the room air to a comfortable level for students.
• In large spaces such as our cafeterias and gymnasiums, additional circulation is provided by utilizing fans positioned in a manner that will allow for air to be blown out of the room.
• Teachers in all buildings are encouraged to hold classes and activities outside to reduce the potential risk of transmission when possible and weather permitting.

For the duration of  2021-22 school year, school meals will be provided at no cost to all children. Applications for free and reduced-price meals should still be completed.

New Paltz Central School District Food Services Director Sheila Moran is the contact person to receive and respond to communications from families regarding food service. Ms. Moran may be contacted at smoran@newpaltz.k12.ny.us 

Families will be reminded during the summer, and periodically, that they can submit a new application for free and reduced-price meals any time during the school year.  Applications are available in each school building, on our website and through email or regular mail as needed.  For assistance in completing the application, contact the Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent of Business, Melinda Ottovan at (845) 256-4010 or mottoman@newpaltz.k12.ny.us