2021-22 Preparation Plan

Dear BOCES Families, Staff and Community.

As we prepare for Fall 2021, Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES has created a Preparation Plan that defines guidance to diminish public health risk. Though we had hoped for a less restrictive opening, the Delta COVID-19 variant continues to challenge our ability to return to a pre-COVID-19 opening of school this coming September. 

The Preparation Plan was developed with guidance issued from the local County Department of Health insight, the FL Reopening Committee medical members, the American  Academy of Pediatrics, our W-FL BOCES medical doctor and aligned to the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and New York State Education.

The stipulations below are based on the current regional impact of COVID-19 transmission rates. The information being shared is subject to immediate change from local health data, county transmission rates and/or state or federal guidance adjustments. All guidance continues to align to our 2020-21 Reopening Plan, which allowed our BOCES to provide a successful in-person instructional model five days a week. Based on our BOCES demographics and the geographical area, we will be functioning with the requirement of masking indoors at this time to ensure the safety in all our facilities and for all our services which extends through five counties.

Fall 2021 COVID-19 Preparation Plan:

All students, staff, families and visitors are required to wear masks indoors.

• When social distancing can occur, mask breaks will be afforded in classrooms, including meals.
• Masks must be worn in schools in all general student areas.
• During the use of the cafeteria or other general areas, students should have and maintain seating assignments. 
• Masks are required for all transportation.
• Masks are not required outdoors but are strongly recommended for unvaccinated adults.
• BOCES will continue to adhere to hygiene, cleaning and disinfection recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
• Established protocols and guidance to diminish the spread of the virus must continue throughout the organization.
• Visitor guidelines from the end of the 2021 school year continue currently. 
• Responsibility to personal daily screenings must continue to support a healthy environment for all BOCES employees and students. 
• Contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine protocols will be followed with guidance and support from the local county Department of Health office.
• The collection of information for possible contact tracing must continue throughout the organization (sign in and out logs with specific information).

When students are not in the area, masks can be optional for vaccinated adults at their desk/cubicle. Unvaccinated adults must continue to wear masks.  Masks must be worn in general, common areas, hallways, and elevators regardless of student presence.