Dear Port Jervis Learning Community,
Governor Cuomo frequently references Zones in press conferences and media releases. While it is important to note that there are no areas in the Port Jervis City School District that are designated as a Yellow, Orange, or Red Zone, I would like to provide some information on this topic, how these designations apply to schools, and an overview of our district’s plan.
In response to increases in positive COVID-19 test results in various areas, Governor Cuomo implemented the Cluster Action Initiative. Specifically, based on the percent of COVID-19 cases or test results in a given area, there could be designations of Yellow, Orange or Red Zones. If a school or school district is located in one of these zones, there are several protocols that would need to be implemented to allow for in-person instruction to continue. Most noteworthy is the COVID-19 testing that must take place to continue in-person instruction. In Yellow and Orange Zones, 20% of the students, faculty and staff must be tested during the month following the designation. Red Zones are required to test 30% of the students, faculty and staff over a thirty day period.
Port Jervis is not in a designated Zone.
Based on the central tenet that the optimal place for learning is in the classroom and the safety protocols in our schools including physical distancing, masks, hygiene, and thorough disinfecting procedures, every effort will be made to continue the hybrid model regardless of a designation. For this to be an option, we have developed a plan for testing procedures that will allow for full compliance and the continued safety of our students, faculty, and staff. The exceptional partnership between Bon Secours Community Hospital and the school district has allowed for the development of this plan.
This is a proactive plan.
No testing is scheduled at this time.
Overview of the Testing Plan (If designated as a Yellow, Orange or Red Zone) :
- The designation will be communicated to all parents, guardians, students, faculty and staff
- If they have not previously done so, parents/guardians will be asked to consider completing and returning the Testing Consent Form
- If the number of Testing Consent Forms returned exceeds the number needed for the zone designation (20% for Yellow and Orange; 30% for Red), an announcement will be made indicating that the hybrid model is a possibility. If we do not receive enough consent forms, schools will need to pivot to fully remote (Phase I).
- Bon Secours personnel will conduct all on-site testing*
- During the week following a designation announcement:
- Testing of students will be tentatively scheduled in a model similar to the following:**
- Monday : ASK
- Tuesday : HS (Grades 9-12)
- Thursday : MS (Grades 7-8)
- Friday : HBE
- Testing will take place as students arrive at the school buildings. Students will not miss instruction for the testing protocol.
- Wednesdays may follow a two-hour delay schedule to allow for faculty and staff testing
*Students, faculty or staff that prefer to have the test conducted outside of the school setting may do so. (Off-site Testing Report Form)
**Of the School Covid-19 Testing Consent Forms received, approximately 20% of the total in-person enrollment will be selected for testing. Building administration will notify the parents of the selected students the week before the scheduled testing. No student will be tested without a consent form and direct communication with the parents/guardians.
This is intended to be a proactive overview of the Zones and possible testing procedures. Port Jervis City School District is not in a designated zone and there is no indication that a designation is imminent.
Attachments:
Frequently Asked Questions
School Covid-19 Testing Consent Form (PDF)
School Covid-19 Testing Consent Form (Online Form)
NYS Department of Health Memo - December 4, 2020
