March 15 Q & A for NCS Parents
Dear NCS Families,
Over the past few weeks, the reopening of school has received a great deal of national as well as local attention. However, because things can vary greatly from one region to the next, I wanted to pass along a handful of updates related specifically to NCS. I have tried to capture answers to questions we have recently received below, and I would encourage you to reach out with an email or a phone call if you would like to talk in more detail.
Will my son or daughter have to quarantine if we travel over Spring Break?
No. Last week, Governor Cuomo announced that beginning on April 1, travelers would no longer be required to quarantine and test after entering New York State. This was understandably welcome news for many who are eager to visit family or enjoy a few days in warmer climates. However, I would encourage everyone to continue prioritizing masking, distancing, and hand washing with their children over Spring Break. We experienced a noticeable increase in positive cases after our last vacation, and almost all of the instances could be traced back to unmasked social gatherings.
Will there be a spring sports season?
Yes. Springs sports will start on April 19. The last day to play leagues games will be June 5, and Sectional Tournaments will run from June 6-15.
Have there been any changes to vocal or instrumental music?
Yes. Last week, local superintendents met virtually with the Ontario County Department of Health and agreed to move from 12 to 6 feet of social distancing for optional vocal or instrumental music activities (Jazz Band, Marching Band, Musical, e.g.) if musicians are masked. As long as we do not see spread as a result, we will relax the spacing requirement in all curricular music classes on Monday, April 12 as well.
I saw schools in the Syracuse area shifted from 6 to 3 feet of social distancing with barriers—will NCS be making the same change?
At this point, neither New York State nor the Ontario County Department of Health have relaxed their guidance on requiring 6 feet of social distancing between desks. We anticipate the change taking place at some point in the coming weeks. If that happens, we will adjust our safety practices so that they continue to align with the most recent information available.
What percentage of NCS students are in-person learners?
In our Elementary School, 92% of students in grades UPK-6 attend in-person classes 5 days per week. At the secondary level, almost all students are hybrid learners who attend in-person classes 2-3 days per week. However, thanks to our creative Counseling Department, close to 35% of our students have been able to return to in-person learning 5 days per week if they have encountered obstacles involving technology, learning needs, etc.
Is the High School starting a tutoring program?
Yes. To help address the learning loss created by COVID-19, our High School will be running a 3:30-5:00 RISE Tutoring Program for the next three weeks. If you would like your son or daughter to participate, please reach out to Mrs. Green (ngreen2@naplescsd.org) or Mrs. Clark (hclark@naplescsd.org). At this point, over 25% of our secondary students have signed up, and we are providing free snacks and transportation for all interested participants.
Will NCS be holding special events like prom this spring?
After talking with the Ontario County Department of Health, we will be putting together tentative plans for what certain special events might look like this spring. We will use existing guidance for schools, weddings, catering events, etc. to guide our planning, but we know that things could change quickly based on positivity rates.
Does my child need a negative COVID-19 test to return from school if they are showing COVID-19 symptoms?
Yes. All students and staff (regardless of whether they have been vaccinated) still need a negative test result before returning to school if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Do you think there will be more changes this spring?
Absolutely. When changes occur, we will reach out with needed detail on how they will impact the experiences of your son or daughter here at NCS. As always, please know that we will make appropriate adjustments after considering their potential impact on safety, learning, and a sense of connection.
Wishing you continued good health.
Matt
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