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October 22, 2021
Dear Hastings Families & Staff,
With a nod to efficiency, this week’s update cuts to the chase. Please read on for important information regarding Safety & Security, a Survey Reminder (Push), and COVID-19 Updates. I close with a thank you.
More on Safety & Security — Caring & Trust
The safety and security of our students and staff are a top priority. Today, I direct you to a new brochure, District Emergency Information Guide, 2021-22. The brochure was created by Altaris Consulting Group, LLC, which is the District’s new security consultant. Altaris provides expert guidance to districts across Westchester County and Connecticut, ensuring that we follow best practices in terms of security systems, technology, and personnel. Altaris works closely with the Hastings Police Department and District and school administrators. Please take a moment to review the brochure, which has been posted on the District Website HERE.
Improving Communications — Please Take the Survey
We are looking at ways to streamline and strengthen communications across the District. Last week we distributed a survey to learn more from the parent community about communication practices and preferences. We have extended the survey deadline to October 29, 2021.
The survey should take approximately 5 minutes to complete. You can find the survey HERE.
COVID-19 Update — Good News and Potential Course Corrections
A Look at Metrics — Good News: Hastings students and staff have done an excellent job adhering to the mitigation strategies essential to preventing the spread of COVID-19 within the District. As of today, we have had only six students and five staff members with confirmed positive cases since September 1. No staff has had to quarantine (due to full vaccinations), while 26 students (19 in Hillside, six in FMS, and one in HHS) have had to quarantine. Our staff vaccination rate is over 90%, and we believe nearly all age-eligible students are vaccinated.
Regionally, the metrics are encouraging. The absolute numbers and positivity rate for Covid-19 in Westchester County have dropped significantly in the last month. As of October 21, the daily cases dropped to 55 per day (using a seven-day average) from 200 per day in early September. Positivity rates dropped from 3% to 1.33% in the same time period. The vaccination rate in Westchester County is quite robust. As of October 21, over 80% of eligible individuals are fully vaccinated, about 85% for the elderly. (Source: CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker.)
Surveillance Testing: We continue our partnership with the Westchester County Department of Health (WCDOH) to provide weekly Surveillance Testing in the schools. We are looking to increase participation. The program has worked well, yet last week was too slow, resulting in long student lines, due to a shortage of staff from the testing agency. Other districts experienced the same problem. This week the system again worked well, thanks to prompt corrections by the WCDOH. Surveillance testing so far has found zero positive COVID-19 cases in Hastings, and very few across other districts.
Required Testing: As stated in the COVID-19 Management Document -- 2021-22, we require NAAT (such as a PCR) tests for return to school. This is a requirement of the New York State Department of Health, which the WCDOH also enforces. We are concerned about a shortage of NAAT (PCR) tests, which could affect the timely return of students to school if they are out for COVID-19 reasons. Our Medical Advisors and other medical experts are conferring with WCDOH officials on the possibility of Rapid Tests (antigen or molecular tests) being allowed as a substitute. Please stay tuned for the results of this advocacy effort.
Test to Stay: Despite being pleased with the small number of positive cases in the district so far, we are not pleased with the required level of quarantines for unvaccinated students (four positive cases at Hillside and FMS resulted in 25 quarantines). While still a far smaller ratio (positive case: quarantines) than last year, too many students are missing in-person schooling while quarantined. This situation is a result of NYSDOH and WCDOH requirements, which cascade from the CDC. Leading Westchester County superintendents (namely, Jen Lamia, Byram Hills, and Eric Byrne, Rye City) have asked the WCDOH to consider the “Test to Stay'' program, which has been effective in several states at reducing the number of quarantines. Superintendents were advised this week that the County is seriously considering the program. Please stay tuned for an update.
We Embraced Joy
A big (and Tall) thank you to the student leaders, staff, coaches, and administrators who combined to make Homecoming Weekend a rousing success. The Weekend was the culmination of weeklong activities that allowed any interested student — athlete or not — to participate, celebrate and find some Joy. Well done. Well done.
Have a good weekend.
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