Dear Avon Families,
You may be aware that Governor Hochul issued a statement this week regarding the mask mandates. In a press conference on Wednesday, the governor announced that the mask requirement for businesses would expire on Thursday, February 10. As for schools, the mask mandate for students, staff and visitors will be reassessed in early March, when state health officials will examine the latest COVID-19 test results and other data*. This would be just after the return from February break, when a bump in case numbers would be expected. Both the Governor and Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett commented that COVID-19 numbers are trending in a good direction, which makes us very optimistic that New York will fall in line with neighboring states and loosen mask requirements for schools. This is also a hopeful sign that as case numbers continue to trend downwards, guidelines will become more adaptable and responsive to local needs. This will be beneficial to schools like Avon, where school-based transmission has been minimal. We appreciate your continued partnership and support as we navigate these changes.
*Note: The current mask requirement for schools is due to expire on 2/21/22. Commissioner Bassett and Governor Hochul are referencing early March as a point of reassessment. It is not clear exactly how the requirement will be officially extended. We are optimistic that we may be nearing the finish line.
Tuesday evening, the Elementary School was alerted that a citizen was holding a sign that indicated she was protesting vaccines and masks, walking the sidewalk on Clinton Street, off school grounds, between the corner of Hal-Bar and Lacy Street. It was asserted that she had approached student walkers during arrival. The building leadership alerted the District Office and the School Resource Officer (SRO). A plan was formulated to engage in discussion. This morning, our SRO approached the citizen, affirmed she was within her rights to protest, but conveyed that the school was made aware of parental concerns about her approaching students. At this time, she informed the SRO that she would no longer be continuing with this activity.
COVID Case Update - Here are the COVID cases that have been reported this week (2/7/22-2/11/22):
7 cases in the Elementary School
1 case in the Middle School
3 cases in the High School
2 staff members
ACS Diagnostic COVID Testing -
Testing Schedule: Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30 - 3:00 pm
Home Test Kits Available - We still have home test kits available from the Governor’s office, and encourage families to plan ahead for February break testing needs. The tests are for enrolled students and will be available to pick up on Thursday, 2/17 at the concession stand testing site. Look for a survey early next week to reserve your test kit.
As a reminder, testing is available as a diagnostic/response test. If you or your child would like a rapid shallow nasal-swab diagnostic COVID test, please send an email to covid.testing@avoncsd.org. You will then receive a Google form to choose a time to be tested along with the consent form and intake form that will need to be completed prior to the test. If you have any questions please contact Michelle Burke at mburke@avoncsd.org.
Test results take approximately 15 minutes. You will be notified in the event of a positive only.
Please do not 'walk in' for a COVID Test. Tests can be scheduled quickly with a simple email.