Message from the Warwick Valley CSD Board of Ed
Howard A. Zucker, M.D., J.D.
Commissioner of Health
Empire State Plaza, Corning Tower
Albany, NY 12237
Dear Commissioner Zucker,
The time has come for the New York Department of Health to take a hard look at relaxing the standards regarding the end of academic year celebrations for commencements and graduation ceremonies. Throughout New York, school districts are planning outdoor graduation ceremonies this spring that require strict attendance limitations, often leaving no choice but to host several smaller ceremonies. With several thousands of spectators now permitted to attend indoor sporting events in New York, allowing school districts to host one traditional outdoor ceremony in their own community with their families in attendance is a needed and safe change to your current requirements. Students and their families deserve nothing less than the traditional outdoor ceremony.
Further, the New York State Department of Health regulations about mask-wearing in schools is clear and states, “Face masks are required at all times, except for meals.” Please consider relaxing this standard as well, especially when staff and students are more than six feet apart, outdoors, or vaccinated.
Sincerely,
Board of Education
Warwick Valley Central School District
cc: Karl Brabenec, Assemblyman
The Honorable Andrew Cuomo
Dr. Irina Gelman, Orange County Commissioner of Health
Sean Patrick Maloney, Representative
Michael Martucci, Senator
Steven Neuhaus, Orange County Executive
James Skoufis, Senator
Orange County School Boards Association