• Important School Masking Update — Feb. 27, 2022

    Dear BCSD School Community, 

    We have been aware of the CDC’s updated guidance, especially as it relates to masking in schools. We have also been actively engaged in providing feedback on these updates to the policymakers involved in crafting updated guidance specific to our state, which continues to be responsible for the rules that dictate what happens in our schools. 

    At this afternoon’s press conference, Governor Hochul announced a Wednesday, March 2 timeline for unmasking at school. It is important to note that county by county decisions may be made based on local infection rates and we do not yet know whether or not Monroe County infection rates will require masking in school. However, we are planning for a change to optional masking as of Wednesday of this week and will confirm this in a communication Monday evening. 

    We recognize that this will come as welcome or concerning news, depending on your individual perspective. We believe that both perspectives can be honored effectively by all of us universally accepting the idea that for some, masking will continue to be an important precaution and should be allowed as an option. To that end, please see the attached information from the Monroe County Department of Public Health regarding the impact of masking. We are also glad to announce that we have a supply of KN-95 masks available for students and staff who would like the extra level of protection that those provide. We have certainly learned a lot during every stage of the pandemic and are glad to be learning more about the theory that an individual using their own KN-95 mask is well-protected, even if someone around them is not masked. 

    We will also continue to be thoughtful in providing distance as much as possible and considering metrics as we plan large-scale events. We will also carefully monitor changes in infection rates (we have zero active cases in school as of this morning) and will make adjustments as needed. 

    So for now, we’re masking on Monday and Tuesday and supporting everyone’s individual choices on Wednesday by supplying high-quality masks for those that would like them. Please check Monday night’s message for additional details on mask distribution and mask rules. 

    Thanks, once again, for all of your patience and thoughtful approaches to the many twists and turns of the past two years. It is greatly appreciated. 

    Kevin 

    Kevin McGowan, Ed.D. 
    Superintendent of Schools