It’s coming…the first day of school. With COVID-19 and the Delta variant, New York’s Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker issued short guidance on August 5, 2021 that the districts in New York State can make their own decisions. “With the end of the state disaster emergency on June 25, 2021, school districts are reestablished as the controlling entity for schools. Schools and school districts should develop plans to open in-person in the fall as safely as possible, and I recommend following guidance from the CDC and local health departments."

According to WKBW Buffalo, an ABC affiliate, the New York State Education Department will issue COVID-19 Guidance to schools and districts. “This is necessary in light of the continued absence of health-related school opening direction and assistance from the Governor’s Office and the State Department of Health.” The Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, has since resigned after a state investigation investigated him for allegations of sexual harassment. New York’s Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul, will be stepping in.

Over the summer, prior to the Delta variant surge, New York State felt push-back over a mask debate, and rescinded its mandate on young children wearing a mask at daycares. At the time, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro issued a letter to the media on 6/4/2021 when the state rescinded their mask mandate stating: “I’m happy New York State has seen what counties have known for months: The science has repeatedly shown there is little to no transmission of the virus in school settings. Today’s announcement, though long overdue, is further evidence the COVID-19 emergency has receded, and Dutchess County continues to encourage residents to choose to get vaccinated and we take steps to get back to living our lives fully!”

It is not clear if Dr. A. K. Vaidian, MD, MPH, the Commissioner of the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health agrees that there is little to no transmission of the virus in school settings. The Beacon City School District had isolation and contact tracing procedures in place for when students, staff or administartors tested positive for the coronavirus, as a way to minimize school closures when someone did test positive.

Last August in 2020 before the vaccination was being given, Dr. Vaidain was quoted in the Poughkeepsie Journal as being appreciative of testing, isolating and contact tracing efforts. Last August, Dr. Vaidain stated: “Looking into the fall, from a public health standpoint, the schools and colleges have always been the biggest unknown," the health commissioner said, "and probably the biggest driver of community transmission if we don't have a handle on it."

Since then, many teachers and administration staff in Beacon’s district, as well as parents and some siblings of children under 12 years, have gotten vaccinated.

This year, In early July 2021, the CDC issued school guidance for the 2021/2022 school year, encouraging children to wear masks in schools, especially for those under 12 who cannot be vaccinated yet.

What Will Beacon City School District Decide To Do?

On Thursday (8/12/2021), at 7pm the Beacon City School District Superintendent, Dr. Matt Landahl, will host a Zoom Town Hall to discuss Beacon's status with school opening plans.

Dr. Landahl stated: "While we are still awaiting some guidance from the state, I think it is important to start reaching out with what we have planned already and what we are planning and to also do my best to answer questions."

The link to the meeting will be Thursday afternoon, and will be recorded and published on the District's website. Dr. Landahl is known for his clear slide presentations of the points he covers during these Town Hall meetings, and has indicated in an email to district parents that he is going to make those available again, to help everyone follow along with the District’s thinking in their guidance. "If watching one of these presentations is not your thing,” he stated, “I will include the slides and key talking points in the email I send tomorrow."

And to think, the most stressful part of this time of year used to be when the school supply list was coming out.