Covid-19 Update

Dear families, 


We would like to express our gratitude for every one’s full commitment in following our ongoing school testing protocols.  We recognize the pressure this has placed on our families and are truly appreciative of all your efforts.

 

Yesterday our MLWS Covid-19 Health & Safety Task Force reconvened to review the month and we would like to share our findings and future plans with you.


January 2022


Our twice weekly testing caught a total of 7 positive cases (5 students and 2 faculty/staff) with several reports of students having positive exposures in their home settings (ie: family members with covid). Yesterday we learned of 3 students testing positive as a result of exposures at home. This brings our total number of positive cases in January to 10 (8 students, 2 faculty/staff)  


As we continue to wade our way through the pandemic we cautiously celebrate our collective successes. A positive case in the 1st Grade class earlier in the month allowed our new Test To Stay policy to be put into practice for the first time. All first grade families opted for this model in order to keep their children in school after their positive exposure. No further in school transmission occurred, the infected student made a full recovery and the class remained covid free. Way to go 1st Grade! 


While covid cases are on the decline and appear to be moving in the right direction, we do not believe we are fully out of the woods just yet. Several area schools continue to see significant spread. Ulster County’s 7-day average positivity rate stands at 10%, with 83.3 cases per 100K reported. That said, we are wholeheartedly committed to relaxing our mitigation strategies  provided we have no further in school transmission, no new surges, and continued overall improvement. 


Moving Forward with Testing 


Testing:

On Feb 7th, we will scale back testing to once a week, regardless of vaccination status. However, we require 2 tests to be taken the week following our Winter Break. 

Schedule as below:


Testing Dates:

  • Monday Jan 31st 
  • Wednesday Feb 2nd
  • Monday Feb 7th
  • Monday Feb 14th
  • Monday Feb 28th
  • Wednesday March 2nd


Please remember, If your child has tested positive for Covid-19 within 60 days of the above dates, they are exempt from testing (ie: 60 days from Jan 31st, 60 days from March 2nd etc)


From February 7th, 2022


Masks 

  • students will not be required to wear masks outdoors. 


Field Trips

  • Classes may now car pool for field trips, provided mitigation measures are in place.

(ie: masks worn by all car occupants, only 2 passengers permitted on the backseat to

allow for spacing, windows cracked for ventilation.)

  • Parents joining trips, either driving or attending, must provide proof of vaccination and a negative test result (rapid antigen /home kit) on the morning of the event


Visitors to Campus - In School Buildings and On Campus

We are thrilled to reopen the school campus to: 

Our Parents

  • may meet individually with teachers and/or for class meetings, provided no children are present and no food/drink is consumed. Group meetings should not be held during school hours. (Gatherings with children and/or food are on hold for now.)
  • may attend your child’s birthday celebration 

Other Visitors

  • school district assessors & personal tutors 
  • substitute teachers 
  • mentors/evaluators for teaching staff
  • prospective students 
  • prospective parents (not during school hours)
  • MLWS Parent Council may meet at school, (outside of school hours & without children present.)

All Visitors Are Required to:

  • wear a mask for the duration of their visit (non cloth mask preferred)
  • maintain 6 ft distancing from others 
  • provide proof of a negative test result ahead of their visit (please note NPCSD district assessors and personal tutors are legally exempt from MLWS testing requirements)


Chorus, Singing, Recorders

  • Hooray! Chorus can restart! Ok to mix cohorts if 6 feet distance can be maintained and all participants wear masks. (Opt for outdoors when possible)
  • playing recorders and singing in classrooms is on hold. (cannot be adequately distanced)


Mixing Class Cohorts 

  • mixing outdoors is ok 
  • mixing indoors is ok only in a pre approved structured setting  (ie: Orchestra, Eurythmy, and after Feb 7th, Chorus.)


Food sharing 

  • children may prepare food with their class
  • food from outside is ok  - for birthdays etc



While we may not be quite in the clear yet, the hope and optimism in the air is palpable.  We are excited to be having conversations about holding an event in late spring and hope this will be the year to rebuild our community and strengthen our connections.  



With much appreciation for your continued support,



Sincerely, 


Susan Ramaty

On behalf of the MLWS Covid-19 Health & Safety Task Force


Thank you!