All over the Island, families are getting their kids ready to go back to school. We checked with all the East End schools that these kids attend to find out about their COVID-19 safety plans.
The basis of all plans is a health and safety guide issued by the New York State Department of Education. School openings range from September 2 for public school students to September 16 at the Ross School.
“The challenges of the past year and a half have been daunting to our state’s educational community as we responded to the health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Commissioner of Education Betty Rosa says in the report introduction.
“Most impressive has been the response of our public and nonpublic schools, teachers, educational leaders, school board members, families, and students in meeting those challenges to sustain the educational process for our students,” she said. “We will continue to work together to keep our students, teachers, and school-based staff safe.”
You can read the 2021/22 guide on the department’s website.
Back to School at Shelter Island School
Shelter Island School will start back on Thursday, September 2 with about 200 students. The Board of Education is scheduled to adopt the district’s safety plan at its meeting Monday, August 30, 8 PM in the school gym.
It will also comport with guidelines from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.
In a recent email to school families, Superintendent Dr. Doelger said the year will look very similar to last year when Shelter Island was one of just two Suffolk County Pre-K to 12 districts to be open all year for in-person learning (with just a few days of distance learning).
Students and staff will be required to wears masks at all times, in accordance with an order from Governor Kathy Hochul on her first day in office. She said the statewide rule will allow “a productive return to schools this fall in the midst of rising COVID-19 numbers fueled by the Delta variant.”
Due to universal mask use, Dr. Doelger says students/staff will not have to quarantine if one of them tests positive for COVID-19. Last year, whole classes faced quarantine after a positive result.
Students in grades 6 and 7 will be permitted to move between classrooms, as High School students had last year.
“I am looking toward the school year with tremendous excitement,” Dr. Doelger said. “I cannot wait till our students walk through the doors again. We were in person as an entire building for all of last year and we hope to do all we can to do the same this year as well.”
Ross School
“We are going with a multi-step approach of layering COVID protection strategies,” said Andi Clare O’Hearn, Head of Advancement and Operations at Ross School.
The Ross School has another week or so to figure out its plans. At least 5 students from the Island will start on Wednesday, September 15 for a retreat day, which is an opportunity to get to know classmates and teachers. The first day of classes is September 16.
Ross School is asking for 100 percent of those eligible to be vaccinated. Ventilation is a top priority and O’Hearn said the school will continue to use filters and air purifiers, and open windows for cross ventilation.
Masks will be required indoors for everyone, regardless of mandates, along with frequent hand washing and daily sanitation. There will be physical distancing of at least 3 feet between children in classrooms and weekly surveillance testing.
The Hayground School
The Hayground School was also still finalizing its safety plans, which will follow state and county guidelines.
Faculty Chair Marcelle Langedale says 11 students from eight Island families will be attending the K to 8 programs when classes begin on Tuesday, September 14.
Students and teachers will be masked, but Langedale says the schedule will allow for breaks. For a second year, the Hayground will make extensive use of outdoor spaces created for each classroom(weather permitting). The school will also again group classes into pods.
“We will continue to be vigilant about distance and time working near each other,” Langedale said. “Each classroom is equipped with an air purifier and exhaust fan. Temperatures will be taken daily and there will be a survey to be completed at the start of the year and after vacations.”
Our Lady of the Hamptons
Nine Island families will be sending 18 students to Our Lady of the Hamptons this year. Grades 1 through 8 return to the classroom on Wednesday, September 8; Kindergarteners begin the new school year on Thursday.
” I miss them terribly, and I’m just very glad to have them back in person even with masks, if that’s the only caveat and they can still use the lunch rooms and lockers, gym, and art rooms then we have made progress,” OLH Principal Sister Kathy Schleuter said.
Visit the school website for a detailed look at OLH protocols. In short:
- Masks worn inside with breaks and the except when eating
- Appropriate distancing at all times
- No barriers on student desks
- No routine temperature checks
- No weekly attestations
- No quarantining if masks were worn properly
- Frequent hand washing and appropriate hygiene will be fostered
Back to School COVID-19 safety plans for transportation
Sunrise Coach Lines provide transportation services to district students. Buses are to be routed at full capacity anticipating a full return to in-person school by all.
The company says families should be aware of the possibility of occasional driver shortages and equipment challenges. The following requirements are in place:
- Mandatory universal masking for students and the driver
- Distance of 3 feet to be maintained
- Windows/hatches open greater than 45 degrees
