Pearl River School District

District News

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  Mask Update

  June 8, 2021

  Dear Pearl River School Community, 

  The NYSDOH released updated guidance last night that no longer requires masks to be worn outside on school grounds, including during outdoor school sports. Our stakeholder feedback form issued yesterday overwhelmingly supported this change; 866 respondents agreed and 21 felt that masks should continue to be worn outdoors. 

  Effective today, Tuesday, June 8th, students and staff will not be required to wear masks outdoors. This includes during recess and physical education classes. Any student or staff member that wishes to continue wearing a mask outdoors will be supported.

  Masks will continue to be worn indoors except during meals.  Families with young children are asked to remind their children of the allowance to take mask breaks when they feel the need to do so, and provided they are maintaining six feet of social distance.  Mask breaks are available to all staff and students when they are needed for reasons of personal safety, or when continuing to wear the masks becomes intolerable.  

  All Pearl River Schools will follow a regular schedule today.

  Sincerely,

  Marco F. Pochintesta, Ed. D.

  Pearl River School District
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  6-7-21 Update on School Mask Requirement

  June 7, 2021

  Dear Pearl River School Community,

  In his press conference today, Governor Cuomo stated that the CDC is not changing their guidance for indoor mask use in schools. However, he will allow school districts to lift the mask mandate for outdoor activities at school. I am in full support of this measure. We are now waiting for an Executive Order or guidance from the NYS Department of Health regarding this change. .

  As part of this process, the Governor may require districts to receive stakeholder input and amend the District’s Re-Opening Plan prior to making this change.  Your feedback will allow us to move rapidly to incorporate this change.  We ask that you complete the attached form to let us know if you agree with the proposed change that would allow students not to wear masks when outside. This would include recess and physical education classes. Please complete the following Outdoor Mask Requirement Feedback Form by 5 PM tomorrow, June 8, 2021.

  Any student or staff member that wishes to continue wearing a mask outdoors will be supported.

  Please note that all of the other precautions that the District has implemented to mitigate against the spread of the novel coronavirus will remain in place, including the requirement to wear masks indoors except when eating, remain physically/socially distanced wherever possible, increased outside air flow/ventilation, hand hygiene, regular disinfection of high-touch and shared surfaces, maximized cleaning/disinfection protocols, etc. 

  Sincerely,

  Marco F. Pochintesta, Ed. D. 

  Pearl River School District
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  Gov. Not Making Change to Mask Requirement Yet

  June 6, 2021

  Dear Pearl River School District Community:

  I regret to inform you of a reversal of the mask policy for schools.  A short while ago the New York State Education Department (NYSED) contacted school districts indicating that there has not been a change to the policy on mask wearing for schools. 

  Please see the following excerpt taken from NYSED’s letter to school superintendents received this afternoon:  “SED has been in communication with Executive staff regarding the attached letter from Dr. Howard Zucker, New York State Commissioner of Health. According to conversations with Executive staff, the intent of this letter was to obtain a response from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding differing standards for summer camps and schools; it has not changed any existing arrangements. Therefore, schools should continue to operate under their existing procedures until further notice. No changes have been, or will be, made by the Executive until after Monday June 7 to afford the CDC an opportunity to respond to the letter.”

  It is very disappointing to receive this notice after the Governor and Department of Health stated that they will make this change effective tomorrow. Please be assured that we will communicate with you as soon as we receive additional information. 

  All students and staff will be required to continue wearing a mask until the Governor and Department of Health make a decision.  Given the expectation for high temperatures during the upcoming week of school please be reminded of the allowances for mask breaks that individuals may take when they feel it becomes necessary for their safety.  Please talk with your children about this and encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity if they feel it is necessary.  Mask breaks can be taken indoors, or outdoors, provided social distancing of six feet is maintained.  

  The weather forecast calls for high heat and humidity tomorrow and Tuesday.  Understanding the difficulty this presents under normal circumstances, and the added challenge of wearing a mask, the District may initiate early dismissals.  Please be prepared for the potential of early dismissals from schools during these days.  We will monitor conditions at the buildings and make every effort to provide as much advance notice to families as possible.  

  Please know that I share your frustration and disappointment with this situation and that I intend to advocate for clarity and change with the Governor’s Office and the NYSDOH on this issue.  

  Sincerely,

  Marco F. Pochintesta, Ed. D.

  Pearl River School District
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  Change in Mask Requirement Effective Monday, June 7

  Dear Pearl River School District Students and Families:

  It was reported yesterday afternoon that Governor Cuomo is planning to remove mask mandates for schools, regardless of vaccination status, effective Monday, June 7th, barring any objection from the CDC. In a press release the Governor’s office reported that “New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker issued a letter informing CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky of New York State's concern over the inconsistency in the CDC guidance between children who are unvaccinated at summer camps and the current rules for unvaccinated children at schools.” The letter further states that “New York State plans to align our school and camp mask guidance as follows. In both settings, as a minimum state-wide guidance: 

  • Indoors, mask use will be strongly encouraged but not required for students, campers, and staff/teachers/counselors who are not fully vaccinated. 
  • Outdoors, masks are not required; students, campers, and staff/teachers/counselors who are not fully vaccinated are “encouraged” to wear a mask in certain higher-risk circumstances. 
  • Both indoors and outdoors, students, campers, and staff who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks."

  As of Monday, June 7th, we intend to fully implement the above guidance in the Pearl River Schools. We strongly encourage anyone not vaccinated to continue to wear a mask. However, we will allow students and staff to not wear masks if they choose to do so, especially with the warmer weather predicted for next week. Any student or staff member that chooses to continue to use a mask will be supported. All other precautions such as daily COVID screenings, and current social distancing requirements will be maintained until further guidance is received from the NYSDOH. 

  Should we receive notice that the NYSDOH changes course regarding this new position on masks, we will communicate that information immediately and adjust our practices accordingly.  

  Sincerely, 

  Marco F. Pochintesta, Ed. D.

  Pearl River School District
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  PRHS Ranked by U.S. News & World Report

  In the April 2021 U.S. News & World Report, Pearl River High School ranked #1195 nationally out of 17,857 high schools, with a score of 93.31, and ranked #115 out of 1,266 NYS high schools, the 2nd highest ranking in Rockland County.  Congratulations to our students and staff for this outstanding achievement!  Please click the following link to view the article:  PRHS Ranking by U.S. News & World Report

  Pearl River School District
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  Capital Project Update Video

  April 28, 2021
  
  Dear Pearl River School District Parents & Community, 

  We are excited to share an update on this year's capital projects at Pearl River High School that have both transformed and enhanced our school's learning environment! The construction that has been done in PRHS serves to both inspire and support our current and future students' success. The high school’s new and improved athletic complex; freshly paved roads and parking areas; updated fine arts learning spaces, art room addition, and updated art and technology wing; redesigned library media center; renovated science rooms and instructional spaces in the math wing; modernized and spacious main stairway; and major safety features and upgrades are only the beginning of what the district aims to improve! Our capital project work continues at Pearl River Middle School as we look forward to the full renaissance of our district’s K-12 buildings! We extend our utmost gratitude to our Pearl River community and for their support as we continue to make improvements to our district’s school buildings with our students’ prosperity in mind. 

  Please click on the link below to view our capital project update video: https://youtu.be/PBR1PgsHQ5o. 

  Pearl River School District
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  2021-22 District Calendar

  At the last meeting, the Board of Education approved the 2021-22 District Calendar. Two Superintendent's Conference Days are scheduled for Monday, August 30th and Tuesday, August 31st.  The first day of school for students will be Wednesday, September 1, 2021.  
  
  The Pearl River School District calendar is based on 184 school days: 181 days of pupil instruction plus 3 Superintendent's Conference Days. In anticipation of emergency closings, we designate the following potential vacation days as snow make-up days: 

  2021-22 Snow Make-up Days
  Day 1 – May 26, 2022
  Day 2 – May 27, 2022
  Day 3 – May 31, 2022
  
  As a result of the NYS Regents examination schedule, the last day of school will be Friday, June 24, 2022.

  Please click the following link to view the one-page calendar for the 2021-22 school year: 2021-22 District Calendar
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  Pearl River School District
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  Reminder! Free School Meals for All Students

  The health of our students is our first priority, and that includes making sure every student has access to nutritious meals no matter where they are learning - remotely or in-person.  We would like to remind you that grab-and-go breakfast and lunch are free for ALL students for the 2020-2021 school year. Pick-up is at Pearl River High School’s Pirate Cove, Monday - Friday from 7AM – 10AM.   Please visit our Food Services webpage for more information and menus.

  Pearl River School District
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  For Students: Chromebook Performance

  Our Instructional Technology Coaches have put together some tips that will improve the performance of your Chromebook. Please click the following link for information:  How to Improve the Performance of your Chromebook

  Pearl River School District
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  Return to Schools Information

  Please click on the following links for important return to school information:
  
  Planning for Re-Opening Page
  Return to School Protocols (revised 1-7-21)
  Remote Learning Plan
  Contact Tracing Plan
  COVID-19 Testing Plan
  NYS COVID Dashboard

  Pearl River School District