Dear Families:
Governor Hochul announced Sunday that, based on a dramatic decrease in COVID-19 rates statewide and the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, masks will be optional inside New York school buildings beginning Wednesday.
The governor said the indoor mask mandate for schools will end Wednesday to give schools time to prepare for and communicate this new guidance. The governor’s mask-optional directive also applies for school buses. In the City School District of Albany the governor's directive applies only to First Student buses; masks will continue to be mandatory on all public transportation in New York, including CDTA buses.
Effective Wednesday, students, employees and visitors to all district buildings are welcome to continue wearing masks but no longer required to do so.
We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her thoughtful and informed leadership on this important health and safety issue for our schools statewide. Along with vaccinations, masks have been an important part of our collective efforts to reduce the spread of this disease.
The data demonstrate that all of these efforts have helped make a difference and save lives, and we are glad to take this positive next step toward what we hope will soon be an end to this pandemic.
We would like to emphasize that our school district will respect the personal decision of all individuals regarding wearing masks at school and on buses after the state’s new optional guidance takes effect Wednesday.
As we have throughout the pandemic, we will continue to work with our state and Albany County health officials as COVID-19 guidance evolves. We will keep you informed as we receive additional guidance moving forward.
All in for Albany!
Yours in education,
Kaweeda G. Adams
Superintendent
