Spring Return to School Announcement
March 12, 2021
Dear KLSD Community,
On the one-year anniversary of the pandemic closing our schools, I am happy to announce a Spring re-opening.
Seventy-seven percent of our students were represented in our recent Return to School survey. The significant majority of responders are comfortable having children in school at less than 6-foot distancing. Increasingly, the evidence tells us that virus transmission rates in schools are low, so long as mitigation strategies are in place. We know the clear links between academic learning, social emotional well-being, and children being in school. The COVID vaccine was recently made available to our entire staff. With all that in mind, we have a path forward.
New York State currently requires barriers in schools when students are less than 6-feet. We have ordered barriers and are working with the vendor for the fastest possible shipment. The quantity we need will take some time. If the barriers arrive and can be installed as anticipated, we plan the following return to school schedule:
| Date of Return: | Full grades to begin in-person learning (No more A/B Cohorts) |
| Monday, April 12, 2021 | 3rd, 8th and 12th |
| Thursday, April 15, 2021 | 6th and 9th |
| Monday, April 19, 2021 | 4th, 5th, 7th, 10th and 11th |
Each grade will continue in its current hybrid/cohort model until the date indicated above. As of Monday, April 19th, all students (including K, 1 & 2) who have chosen to participate in the in-person model will be attending school 5 days per week.
We must also be prepared that there will still be challenges. We will still encounter cases of the virus. Quarantining will continue under the rules established by our local Department of Health. In the last 48 hours, NYS has allowed fully vaccinated people and those who have recently lab tested positive for the virus to be exempt from quarantine with certain parameters. I encourage all to hold on to hard copy evidence of lab tests and vaccinations as these will become necessary proof when exposure occurs. Recent revisions to quarantine rules have reduced the numbers needing to quarantine (particularly at the secondary level).
To provide building-level specifics on the return, our school principals will hold school meetings on Zoom on the following schedule:
| John Jay Middle School | Monday, March 15 - 7:00 pm |
| Increase Miller, Katonah, and Meadow Pond | Wednesday, March 17 - 7:00 pm |
| John Jay High School | Wednesday, March 24 - 7:00 pm |
For important information on how you will know your child’s selected learning model, for more details about the survey responses, and other return to school planning and logistics, please see the pages linked below.
Please remain vigilant about all health and safety protocols (as we will in our schools) so that our community stays well and so that we have the best chance of maintaining in-person learning through June. My thanks to all my colleagues who are working to make this possible. My thanks to our community for your partnership.
Sincerely,
Andrew Selesnick, Superintendent of Schools
Additional Information in English: Return to School Spring 2021 Final.pdf
Additional Information in Spanish: Return to School Spring 2021 Final Sp.pdf