SULLIVAN— Students, teachers and school faculty are beginning another school year in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic which has drastically changed everyday life since it impacted Sullivan County more than 17 months ago.

As of press time, the Delta variant has become the most dominant strain in the area and the number of active cases has been trending upward as the county continues to promote vaccinations.

Governor Kathy Hochul’s office will direct the Department of Health to institute universal mask requirements in all schools. She recently announced plans for new statewide weekly testing for unvaccinated school staff and will help provide funding to schools to facilitate that.

Governor Hochul said recently in a press conference, “This war is not over, and the Delta variant is a serious threat, especially for people who are still unvaccinated. “

School districts have geared up over the summer to go back to in-person learning once again after a year of mostly virtual instruction.

Here is a list of the school districts in Sullivan County and what measures they are taking to keep students and staff safe.

Eldred
Masks will be required for anyone in the building, no matter their vaccination status.

Temperatures will be taken before entering the building.

Eldred says it will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines with social distancing of three feet when possible.

Eldred says it will not ask students or parents if they have taken the vaccine.

There will be no hybrid learning and daily sanitizing of school busses and classrooms will be prioritized.

Fallsburg
Masks are required for all students, staff and visitors regardless of vaccination status.

Remote learning will not be offered, and all students are expected to be in school.

Temperature checks at the door for all students, staff and visitors.

Fallsburg states that plans could change and that they will be ready if the infection gets worse.

Liberty
Masks are required for all students, staff and visitors.

All students will attend school in person five days a week and physical distancing of three feet will be maintained.

The required physical distancing is six feet during lunch, and some students may have their meal in the cafeteria or another appropriate space.

Livingston Manor
Mask must be worn on school buses and in school buildings regardless of vaccination status.

Students will attend school in person five days a week.

Social distancing of three and six will be used when appropriate.

If necessary, quarantines and contract tracing will be coordinated with input from Sullivan County Public Health.

Monticello
Students and staff will wear masks consistently during the day.

Exceptions include when eating, drinking and if asked to remove their mask by the nurse or school administrator to ensure the student’s safety, health and wellness.

The district says that students and adults who qualify for a medical exemption to wearing a mask will be accommodated and alternative personal protective equipment will be explored for them.

Daily health screenings for employees and students are required. Parents are asked to take their student’s temperature before coming to school. School employees are asked to take their own temperature prior to coming to school and have their temperature checked upon arrival.

Contact tracing and coordination with local health department guidelines will be followed.

Daily cleaning and disinfecting protocols will be followed.

Shared school supplies, including books, will be minimized, and when shared the items will be disinfected.

School visitors will be restricted to those required for school business and by appointment only.

Students and staff will be trained on proper hand hygiene practices.

Roscoe
Students will attend school five days a week.

All staff, students, and visitors will need to wear mask indoors regardless of vaccination status.

If necessary, quarantines and contract tracing will be coordinated with input from Public Health.

Tri-Valley
The district says they will use a layered approach of mitigation strategies, including masks, testing, ventilation, handwashing, staying home when ill and regular cleaning/disinfecting.

All students in school will attend five days a week for in-person instruction. No temperature screening will takeplace and there will be no virtual class option (exceptions may be made for high-risk students via a 504 Plan or an IEP).

There will be a continuation of mandatory mask-wearing, including on buses. Masks are not required for outdoor activities.

Social distancing of three feet will be practiced and five feet at lunch, band and chorus.

The district says they will pay extra attention to the social/emotional needs of students and staff.

The district says they will plan and be prepared for all virtual learning if conditions necessitate.

Sullivan West

The school will be open for in-person learning and all courses, extracurricular activities and athletics will take place.

The social distancing of three and six will be used when appropriate.

Mask will be required for all students, staff and visitors.

Sullivan BOCES

Remote instruction will only be available to students with documented medical concerns.

Students and staff will be required to wear masks throughout the day and practice appropriate social distancing.

Visitation to BOCES buildings will be limited.

All students will have their temperature taken upon arrival at school.