Announcements

• Governor Kathy Hochul Announces #VaxtoSchool Campaign to Drive COVID-19 Vaccination Rates Among School-Aged New Yorkers Statewide (9/8/21)
  
• Governor Hochul Announces New Requirements and Guidance for the Safe Reopening of New York Schools (9/3/21) - Requirement for COVID-19 Testing for Teachers and other School Employees—with Opt-Out for Vaccinated.
  

Executive Orders

• Governor Hochul Signs Executive Order to Significantly Expand Eligible Workforce and Allow Additional Health Care Workers to Administer COVID-19 Testing and Vaccinations (9/27/21)

NYSDOH Guidance  

• Interim NYSDOH Guidance For Classroom Instruction In P-12 Schools During The 2021-2022 Academic Year (NYSDOH 9/2/21)
  • The Public Health and Health Planning Council passed an Emergency Regulation (9/2/21)
  • The Health Commissioner Issued a Determination Letter for COVID-19 Testing for Teachers and other School Employees—with Opt-Out for Vaccinated. Requiring all teachers, administrators, and other school employees to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing, unless they show proof of vaccination, with either a CDC vaccine card or the Excelsior Pass. (9/2/21)
    
• NYSDOH Webpage provides information on Quarantines, Close Contacts, and Contact Tracing. (9/29/21)
• Commissioner's Determination on Indoor Masking Pursuant to 10 NYCRR 2.60 (8/30/21)
• Interim Guidance For In-Person Instruction At Pre-K-12 Schools During The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (NYSDOH 7/7/21)
• Interim Guidance For Sports And Recreation During The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (NYSDOH Updated 3/25/21)
• NYSDOH Travel Guidance
  

  • As of June 25, 2021, the New York State Travel Advisory is no longer in effect.  As such, travelers arriving in New York are no longer required to submit traveler health forms.

  • All travelers, domestic and international, should continue to follow all CDC travel requirements. 

• Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure (NYSDOH, 5/31/20)
• SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostic Testing- Explains what is a diagnostic test, the meaning of a positive or negative result.(NYSDOH, 5/2020)
• Guidance On Contacts of a Contact (NYSDOH, 4/2020)

NYSDOH Memos

• Education Constituents Team - Reporting to School COVID Report Card will Resume on 9/13/21
• Education Constituents Team - ELC School Reopening Program (9/7/21)
• NYSDOH Education Constituents Group Notification - Mask Requirements for Schools (8/24/21)

  • Note: Additional clarification from the Governor's office:
    "With respect to 6 ft distancing when students are unmasked and performing certain high-risk activities (eating, drinking, singing, or playing a wind instrument), DOH is applying the CDC's guidance in this area"

    Including as follows from within the CDC Guidance:
    “Because of the importance of in-person learning, schools should implement physical distancing to the extent possible within their structures but should not exclude students from in-person learning to keep a minimum distance requirement.”

• NYSDOH Commissioner Monthly Letter (8/4/21)
• NYSDOH Updates Relevant to 2021 Summer Schools (7/7/21) - Updates emailed relevant to 2021 summer schools. 
  • Given current low rates of COVID-19 transmission, schools/districts may decide to implement revised masking policies consistent with those available in the archived INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR CHILD CARE, DAY CAMP, AND OVERNIGHT CAMP PROGRAMS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY (available here).
    
  • Daily reporting to the COVID-19 Report Card is no longer required.
  • Summer schools in NYS may follow either the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools Through Phased Prevention (available here) or the current NYS INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION AT PRE-K TO GRADE 12 SCHOOLS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY (available here).  

  The above information applies to the 2021 summer session only and additional information will be shared regarding the 2021-2022 school year soon. These decisions, which should reflect local sentiment, may be made by the school superintendent or local board.  There is no requirement for additional public meetings. 
  
  

• NYSDOH, Bureau of Immunization: Catch up Children and Teens in Need of Vaccines, including COVID-19 (6/21/21)

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

• Top Ten Reasons To Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19 provided by NYSDOH in English and Spanish

NYSDOH Guidance questions should be directed to
NYSDOH COVID-19 Hotline:1-888-364-3065 or this new dedicated email for school questions: schoolquestionscovid@health.ny.gov 

The Governor’s office can be contacted at https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form or call 1-518-474-8390 from 9 am to 5 pm daily. 

Page updated 9/29/21

NYSED Health and Safety Guide

• NYSED Health and Safety Guide to Reopen NYS Schools (8/12/21) - The New York State Education Department has compiled resources to provide additional information to help schools and families stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NYSED Recovering, Rebuilding and Renewing: The Spirit of New York's Schools Webpage 

• Reopening Schools Guidance (7/16/20) 
• Reopening Guidance for Religious and Independent School (7/27/20)
• Eligibility for Interscholastic Athletics, Inclusive Athletic and Extracurricular Activities (9/01/20)
• Responding to the Challenges of Learning in Masked Environments (10/23/20)
• In-person learning, sports participation, and COVID-19 testing  (Last amended 2/18/2021)
• NYS Education Department and NYS Office of Mental Health Joint Letter on Mental Health (4/19/21)

NYSED Memos

• NYSED Letter Regarding CDC & AAP Guidance on School Opening 2021-22 (8/2/21)
• NYSED Memo: Continuation of Optional Remote Application Process for Employment Certificates and Permits (Working Papers) (6/23/21)
• NYSED Memo on School Health Examinations in Light of COVID-19 Pandemic (5/20/21)
• First Aid and CPR Certification Flexibility for Coaches in Response to the COVID-19 Crisis Memo(4/26/21)

NYSED Guidance questions should be directed to Backtoschool@nysed.gov

Page updated 9/3/21

CDC considerations below are meant to supplement—not replace—state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which schools must comply.

CDC Schools and Childcare  Plan, Prepare, Respond Webpage 
This page provides strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and maintain safe operations in schools in child care programs. Which includes:

• K-12 Guidance
• Responding to COVID-19 Cases in Schools Toolkit  - This toolkit provides information to help schools respond quickly to COVID-19 cases in school with regards to quarantine and isolation.
• FAQs about COVID for School Administrators (10/21/21)
• ECE/Child Care Guidance

Note: NYS must follow NYSDOH Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure (NYSDOH, 5/31/20)

CDC What to do if a Student Becomes Sick or Reports a New COVID-19 Diagnosis at School 
The CDC algorithm will help schools determine the next steps to take if a student becomes sick at school or reports a new COVID-19 diagnosis at school. (CDC 8/6/21)

CDC Decision Tree for Identifying COVID-19 Close Contacts in K-12 School Indoor Classroom Settings
This decision tree can be used for anyone in a non-classroom setting who was within 6 feet of the infected person starting 2 days prior to symptom onset or positive test. If the infected person is not showing symptoms, use the date the test was collected.(9/16/21)

CDC Information on International Travel is here.

Page updated 10/21/21

COVID-19 Resources for Schools
Students, and FamiliesProvides information on online education and accessibility, protecting civil rights of and privacy impact on assessments and accountability under ESSA, Readiness Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA). The bottom of the page contains a link to FERPA and information on sharing personally identifiable information during COVID-19. the direct link to the FERPA webpage is provided below.

U.S. Education Department  Student Privacy Page
Provides a recorded webinar that addresses 10 common scenarios and questions on FERPA FERPA & COVID-19 FAQs, a resource list on FERPA, and Virtual Learning Blog Post: May Schools Disclose Information about Cases of COVID-19?
Page updated 10/22/2021

U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Occupational Safety and Health Webpage

Provides resources on respiratory and infection prevention, wage, labor, and leave information and information for dislocated workers including. guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 and Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace (1/29/21)

US Department of Labor Respiratory Protection Information from OSHA

• Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers. OSHA Video, (January 2011).
• The Difference Between Respirators and Surgical Masks. OSHA Video, (December 2009).
• Respirator Safety. Donning (Putting on) and Doffing (Taking off) and User Seal Checks. OSHA Video, (December 2009).
• OSHA Fit Testing Final Rule: Additional Ambient Aerosol CNC Quantitative Fit Testing Protocols: Respiratory Protection Standard (September 2019).

U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws, Technical Assistance Questions and Answers - Updated on Dec. 16, 2020

PESH

The Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau (PESH), enforces safety and health standards promulgated under the US Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSA). They provide free consultation surveys at the request of a public employer. The contact information is located here.

Page updated 3/25/21

Governor Kathy Hochul tonight signed an executive order to alleviate potential staffing shortages in hospitals and other health care facilities statewide. The executive order significantly expands the eligible health care workforce and allows additional health care workers to administer COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

The executive order also expands the scope of practice for additional health care workers to allow for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, including an expansion of the ability of midwives, registered nurses, physicians, and nurse practitioners to more easily administer and order COVID-19 vaccinations and testing as well as flu vaccinations.  

To aid in facilitating faster efficient patient transfers to mitigate any staffing issues, the executive order also permits facilities to discharge, transfer, or receive patients quickly, provided they are protecting the health and safety of patients and residents and complying with federal law. Additionally, the executive order suspends requirements for preauthorization review for scheduled surgeries in hospital facilities, hospital admissions, hospital outpatient services, home health care services following a hospital admission, and inpatient rehabilitation services following a hospital admission, as well as suspends concurrent and retrospective review of claims during the duration of the order.

 

Click here to read Executive Order

 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of the multi-faceted statewide #VaxtoSchool campaign to support increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates among school-aged New Yorkers, furthering the administration's commitment to making the health and well-being of students, teachers and families a top priority. 

As part of this campaign, the Governor announced a new, dedicated website at ny.gov/vaxtoschool with critical resources and materials for parents and guardians of school-aged New Yorkers and school communities. The new site includes information, and an FAQ for parents and guardians, as well as a multitude of ready-made signage for school leaders to support #VaxtoSchool education and operations in their local communities on the ground.

As part of this effort, the Governor also announced that new #VaxtoSchool pop-up COVID-19 vaccination sites will be open in areas where zip code data shows the vaccination rate for 12 to 17-year-olds is lower than the statewide average. A community-based medical professional will be available at each site to answer any questions parents and guardians of school-aged New Yorkers may have. Alongside the new sites, #VaxtoSchool buses—mobile vaccination efforts—are being launched in convenient, school-centric areas statewide, such as public recreational spaces like basketball courts and parks. This will help to make the vaccine available and accessible to school-aged New Yorkers and their families.

As per Governor Hochul’s recent announcement, daily reporting to the New York State School COVID Report Card will resume. Beginning on Monday, September 13th, all schools will be required to log in and submit a daily report between the hours of 7am and 4pm on each operational day of the school year. Please note that some public-facing aspects of the New York State School COVID Report Card website are currently being updated; as such, survey data will not be displayed to the public temporarily.

The daily school survey website and all existing log in information for each school remains the same. If you have trouble logging in, need to set a designee to access the survey, or need a reminder on how to create a new survey submission, check out this quick card for troubleshooting tips. To reset your password, click the “Reset your password” link next to the “Log in” tab.

In the coming days, you will be receiving information on an upcoming webinar to review the updated NYSDOH Guidance for Classroom Instruction in P-12 Schools and the daily reporting process.  

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at SchoolQuestionsCovid@health.ny.gov 

Thank you,

The Education Constituents Team

To help ensure testing is available to students as they return to school, funds are being utilized to launch a COVID-19 Testing in Schools Program, also referred to as the ELC School Reopening Program, in partnerships with local health departments and BOCES throughout New York State outside of New York City.

If your school/district operates in one of the counties listed below, please contact your county BOCES for more information. 

• Montgomery and Fulton Counties: Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES 
• Herkimer County: Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES 
• Madison County: Madison-Oneida BOCES 
• Oneida County: Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES

For schools/districts in all other counties, please reach out to your local health department for more information if you have not yet heard from them. It is imperative that schools and local departments of health are working closely to ensure testing is available. For schools operating in NYC, please contact the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for information. 

P-12 school settings:

a. After careful review and consideration of CDC recommendations for face coverings/masks in school settings, I hereby adopt such recommendations, imposing them as requirements, where applicable, until this determination is modified or rescinded2 . Accordingly, universal masking of teachers, staff, students, and visitors to P-12 schools over age two and able to medically tolerate a face covering/mask and regardless of vaccination status, is required until this determination is modified or rescinded. Such requirement is subject to applicable CDC-recommended exceptions.

Click here to read complete document.

The following email was sent to school Superintendents and Administrators by NYDOH Education Constituents Group on Friday 8/30/21 at 5:45 pm.

Effective immediately, in accordance with the Commissioner's Determination issued pursuant to 10 NYCRR 2.60, any person over the age of 2 (including all students, personnel, teachers, administrators, contractors, and visitors) must wear masks at all times indoors in P-12 school buildings, regardless of vaccination status.

People with medical or developmental conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask may be exempted from mask requirements, as documented by a medical provider. People do not need to wear masks when eating, drinking, singing, or playing a wind instrument; when masks are removed for these purposes, individuals must be spaced six feet apart. All mask requirements must be applied consistently with any state and federal law (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act).

Note: Additional clarification from the Governor's office:
"With respect to 6 ft distancing when students are unmasked and performing certain high-risk activities (eating, drinking, singing, or playing a wind instrument), DOH is applying the CDC's guidance in this area"

Including as follows from within the CDC Guidance:
“Because of the importance of in-person learning, schools should implement physical distancing to the extent possible within their structures but should not exclude students from in-person learning to keep a minimum distance requirement.”

• BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card Rapid Antigen Test Training Videos and Resources
• NYSCSH COVID Testing memos and information for schools, Limited-Service Laboratory Certificates (LSL), Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reporting System (ECLRS), Executive Orders, NYS Requirments Non-Patient Specific Orders Sample Non-Patient Specific Orders and COVID-19 Test Consent Form
• NYSDOH Communicable Disease Reporting Webpage  
• NYSDOH COVID-19 Testing Webpage,
• Resources on COVID-19 Testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Congregate Setting

General questions on testing can be directed to the NYSDOH at Covid19rapidtest@health.ny.gov

Questions on obtaining limited Service Lab Certificates can be directed to the NYSODH Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program (518) 485-5378 or clep@health.ny.gov

Page updated 3/22/21

NYS COVID Report Card for Schools
New York school districts must provide daily data on the number of people in the school who have tested positive for COVID-19.  Questions should be sent to schoolquestionscovid@health.ny.gov

CDC Resources

CDC TRAIN
Provides continuously updated resources and training for Health Professionals on all topics (including vaccines and best immunization practices). 

CDC Vaccine Overview Webpage

• Who Gets Vaccinated First?
• What to Expect at Your COVID-19 Vaccination Visit
• Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
• Rare Severe Allergic Reactions
• Different COVID-19 Vaccines
• Ensuring Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines
• Ensuring COVID-19 Vaccines, Work\Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
  

U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Product Information (CDC 3/2/21)

Interim Clinical Considerations (CDC 3/19/21)

• COVID-19 Vaccine Quick Reference Guide for Healthcare Professionals
  Quick reference for comparing general information, storage, and handling information, and vaccine administration
• The Interim Clinical Consideration Summary provides an easy reference of clinical considerations.
• The Vaccine Administration Errors and Deviations table is an easy reference for information on handling vaccine administration errors.

Infection Prevention | Control Considerations for Healthcare Personnel with Systemic Symptoms Following COVID-19 Vaccination 
includes suggested approaches for planning on reducing the impact of post-vaccine symptoms on staffing and evaluating and managing post-vaccination symptoms among HCP.

V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker
Provides information on how to register and complete a v-safe health check-in (including step-by-instructions with images), troubleshooting, FAQs, and contact information for technical support. These web pages will be continuously updated with additional resources.

FDA Resources

FDA COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheets for Recipients and Caregivers
The FDA requires that vaccine recipients or their caregivers be provided with certain vaccine-specific EUA information to make an informed decision about vaccination.

Page Updated 325/21

VaccineFinder is a free, online service where users can search for locations that offer vaccinations. We work with partners such as clinics, pharmacies, and health departments to provide accurate and up-to-date information about vaccination services. VaccineFinder is operated by epidemiologists and software developers at Boston Children's Hospital. 
Eligible New Yorkers can make an appointment at ny.gov/GetVaccinated or by calling the NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).

View the most current FAQs. This page is updated continuously as new information is provided. 

Page Reviewed 6/17/21

Provides links to sample lesson plans and teaching strategies for schools and families. digital tools to assist in creating instructional opportunities for students.

Page  Updated 4/29/21

This page contains information and resources for School Medical Directors.

Page updated 10/22/2021 12:29 PM

Provides resources that will assist school nurses to share their expertise, take a leadership position and offer support and guidance.

Page Updated 10/14/21

National and State Professional Organizations

National Association of School Nurses Coronavirus Resources

National Association of School Psychologists: Guidance and Supports

National Federation of State High School Associations: Guidance for State Associations to Consider in Re-opening High School Athletics and Other Activities. Please note this is National Guidance- NYS must follow NYS School Guidelines related to health exams.

• Click Music to see resources related to choral groups and instruments.

New York State Health, Recreation, PE and Dance (NYASHPERD) Re-entry Guidelines for Health and Physical Education 7/2020

NYS Public High School Athletic Association Return to Interscholastic Athletics 2020-21 Resource (9/4/20)

SHAPE America: School Reentry Considerations

A Blueprint for Back to School
This report from American Enterprise Institute sketches a framework for reopening schools that can help state policymakers, education and community leaders, and federal officials plan appropriately for reopening schools when public health officials signal it is safe to do so.

Addressing Barriers to Learning | UCLA Mental Center  InHealth In Schools
This newsletter from the UCLA Center for Mental Health In Schools is devoted the following to highlighting essential transition-back supports.

Johns Hopkins University Reopening Resources for Schools (eSchool +initiative)
This site contains multiple resources for schools including:

• Tracking State and National School Reopening Plans
• The Ethics Of K-12 School Reopening: Identifying and Addressing
• The Values At Stake Covid-19 School Reopening
• Checklist Examples of Equity-Oriented Reopening Policies
• School News Roundup Biweekly E-newsletter 

A Plan To Safely Reopen America’s Schools And Communities | AFT
Provides guidance from the American Federation of Teachers for imagining a new normal for public education, public health, and our economy from the American Federation of Teachers.

Mitigating COVID-19 Risk: How Schools Can Help Reopen the Economy Safely | Frontline Education
Explores the interconnected nature of health, education, and economics as well as what actions may be taken within the health management of K-12 districts to effectively navigate a prompt, safe, and effective new normal.

Resources for Opening Schools | Learning Policy InstituteProvides resources on current research, data, tools, and school guidance, training, vaccinations, and testing to ensure all students receive a quality education.

Page Updated 5/12/21