2021-22 Reopening Guidebook for Families

Dearest Families, Faculty, Staff and Scholars, 

I hope you have had a restful and rejuvenating summer. The Newburgh Enlarged City School District (NECSD) has been actively planning and preparing for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. Thank you for your patience and support during this time. 

Our primary goal is to safely reopen schools and keep them open. 

The first day of school for scholars is September 9, 2021. The district plans to welcome all scholars for five days of in-person learning beginning on September 9, 2021. A 100% remote option is only available for those who are approved through the Medically Fragile Student Eligibility process. That process can be found on the district’s website newburghschools.org/medical. 

In late-July the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools. Shortly after, the American Pediatric Association released their COVID-19 Guidance for Safe Schools and just last week, the NYS Education Department released their Health and Safety Guide for the 2021-2022 school year. 

In accordance with the CDC, we will be taking a multi-layered approach to reopening schools, recognizing that a combination of mitigation strategies is more effective than a single approach.  Mitigation strategies will include: training and education, hand washing, regular cleaning and disinfecting, isolation and quarantining practices, symptomatic COVID-19 testing, airflow, circulation, and ventilation, physical distancing, masks, and COVID-19 vaccinations. Families should be conducting temperature and wellness checks at home, only sending their children to school if they are feeling well and do not have a fever. Through this guidebook, our hope is that all of our scholars will have the opportunity for consistent, in-person learning throughout the school year. 

As per CDC guidance, the district will begin the year requiring masks for all students, staff, and faculty in school buildings regardless of vaccination status, beginning Monday, August 23, 2021. This will also apply on school transportation.

We recognize how this continued uncertainty has caused a great deal of anxiety for families. Through surveys, meetings, emails, and phone calls, we continue to collect and evaluate feedback from families, faculty, and staff. Most importantly, we know any model we consider must be examined through the lens of equity and excellence as well as the health and safety of approximately 12,000 scholars and 2,500 employees. 

While this is not what we had hoped for or could have ever imagined for a third school year, we do have opportunities ahead of us. We will continue to prioritize progress over perfection and will continue to ShoulderUp with you as we navigate the school year. 

I am pleased to share with you our planning for the Fall. The 2021-2022 ReOpening Schools Guidebook provides an overview of our health and safety measures and our instructional approach. We will continue to provide you with timely updates. 

Please consider the COVID-19 vaccination if you have not already and continue to wash your hand, watch your distance, and wear a mask. We are honored to have your support and look forward to our collaboration as we work together to overcome this pandemic. This is an immense responsibility we take very seriously. 

With Appreciation, 
Roberto Padilla, Ed.D
Superintendent 

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!