There has been much discussion regarding the actions being taken on closing schools. First, please know that WITA is committed to providing in-person instruction within a safe environment. With that being said, please note the following protocols that have been set forth by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).
MICRO-CLUSTERS
- On Wednesday, October 21, 2020, Governor Cuomo and the NYSDOH announced a micro-cluster strategy in an effort to combat the rapidly rising cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
- This strategy designates regions of New York into tiers based on population density and uses data to identify where high concentrations of COVID-19 transmissions are occurring.
- Specific zip codes with high transmission rates are then designated as yellow, orange, or red zones, and restrictions are set in place based on the classification.
ZONE DESIGNATIONS
All of Long Island's school districts fall into a Tier 1 densely populated area designation. The zones are based on a 10-day rolling positive COVID-19 test result in the geographic area:
- YELLOW Positive COVID-19 testing average above 2.5-percent
- School buildings that remain open will be mandated to provide random COVID-19 test results for 20% of their school population.
- ORANGE Positive COVID-19 testing average above 3-percent
- School buildings must close for at least four days.
- In order to reopen, ALL students, faculty, and staff must test negative before returning to campus.
- Following reopening, we will be required to provide weekly testing results of 25-percent of the combined student, faculty, and staff population.
- RED Positive COVID-19 testing average above 4-percent
- School buildings must close for at least four days.
- In order to reopen, ALL students, faculty, and staff must test negative before returning to campus.
- Following reopening, we will be required to provide weekly testing results of 25 percent of the combined student, faculty, and staff population.
In the event that West Islip falls into either the orange or red zone, we will transition immediately to the distance learning model.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- In the event that students, faculty, and staff's home towns are designated as these micro-cluster zones, they will still be permitted to continue attending their classes as usual - unless West Islip has been designated as a micro-cluster.
- The district is currently working with the Suffolk County Department of Health and major private medical providers to establish protocols and procedures to complete this rapid and robust testing mandate, should it become necessary.
As a reminder, these guidelines are subject to change based on the rapidly evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. We will keep you informed if the zone status of West Islip School District changes. As we approach the holidays, please remain healthy and safe. If you have further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our COVID Coordinator at b.taylor@wi.k12.ny.us.
