February 27, 2022

The following message from Lansingburgh Superintendent, Dr. Abitabile, was sent to all Lansingburgh families on Sunday, February 27.

All school reopening news and COVID-19 updates can be found on the district’s 2021-2022 Reopening Updates page here.

Good evening Lansingburgh School Community,

At a press conference this afternoon, Governor Hochul announced the end of the mask mandate in schools, effective Wednesday, March 2.  Masks are no longer required on buses either.  She cited declining metrics for making this decision, including a decrease in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, as well as new guidance from the CDC on Friday.

As a result, masks are still required in school on Monday and Tuesday as we await to review and implement new school guidance. Starting Wednesday, masks will be a personal choice in our schools.  Although we still recommend the use when applicable, we respect everyone’s right to choose for themselves.  We ask parents and guardians to speak with their children about personal choices and respect each other’s personal decisions. We will not tolerate any acts of intimidation or harassment of students or staff who choose to continue to wear a mask.

Throughout the pandemic, we have relied on guidelines set forth by NYSDOH and NYSED in partnership with the county health department.  Conditions are improving locally and across the state. Test positivity is now at the lowest rate since last fall and there is an increased number of students and staff that have been vaccinated.

Our schools also distribute at-home test kits to families - a mitigation tool that was scarcely available in the past. We encourage families to test their children this evening prior to sending them back to school tomorrow, February 28. Anyone testing positive should isolate at home and contact their school’s office.

Thank you for your continued patience, cooperation and understanding. We will share additional information on the new guidance as soon as it is available.

Sincerely, 

Dr. Antonio W. Abitabile, Ed. D.