Bay Shore School District Releases Potential Reopening Plan

BAY SHORE, NY — The Bay Shore school district recently released a potential plan for reopening schools in the fall. In July, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that New York schools can reopen only if coronavirus infection rates fall below strict benchmarks to be set early this month.
The "formula" that Cuomo spelled out allows school openings in regions that are in Phase Four and have an infection rate under 5 percent. An "emergency" stop to openings will take place if infections rise above 9 percent, he said. He also officially stated last week that all schools in the state are currently allowed to reopen in the fall.

However before opening, each individual school district must release their own plan for reopening by Friday. As of Monday, the governor stated that over 100 school districts have not submitted plans to reopen in the fall and will not be allowed to if they fail to submit them.

Bay Shore school officials presented a possible plan, posted on the school district website, to give residents insight into what schools might look like during the pandemic. Under the potential plan, the district announced that starting in September, schools will reopen under a hybrid model of instruction. Students will be split into A and B groups; each group will attend in-person instruction two days a week and use distance learning three days a week. On Wednesdays, all students will use distance learning.

According to a letter from Superintendent Joseph Bond, officials sent a survey out to parents and found that the top concerns expressed included the ability to use protective equipment, the ability to maintain social distance and the disinfecting procedures. The plan states out that in general, face coverings and masks will be required at all times when in and around school buildings when social distancing protocols cannot be met. In addition, the buildings and classrooms will be cleaned and disinfected regularly, particularly high-touch areas.

A virtual public forum was held to discuss the plan on Wednesday and two more are planned before schools reopen. The next two meetings will take place on Wednesday, August 19 at 12 noon and then again at 6 p.m. Click here for more information.

Click here to read the full plan on the Bay Shore school district website.