Testing in our schools
The Issue
To Members of the Rye Brook Board of Education:
We want our schools to remain open, just as you do, however we need it done safely. There is no doubt that the public has been made acutely aware of the current extreme level of contagion regarding covid-19. The frequency of new cases is at a daily rate of nearly 200,000 more persons every day, the death rate increase is about 2,000 per day.
From Dr Fauci, the CDC and every medical expert, the prediction is well over 300,000 will have passed away by January 1st. Governor Cuomo has designated specific areas that the contagion is not only rising but reaching dangerous levels, that New York experienced in the first wave just 5 months ago. We are not exempt and alone from this fact.
Looking today at the Governor's actual map on his website, just across the street from our schools there is a clear yellow line followed by a more dangerous orange designated area to the east.
Corona virus doesn't stop at one door step and skip the next. Our parents and children travel to or may live in this dangerous yellow identified zone of contagion. This is fact, with this information there is absolute, conclusive evidence that at minimum our school should be testing children and staff immediately and daily after this Thanksgiving weekend and into the months ahead.
There are documented reason why the nearby school systems have either shut, will not return after Thanksgiving or are at minimum testing individuals entering the school buildings. What level of risk are we taking? It's our clear and factual knowledge that none of the first grade teachers are physically able to be in school due to illness, quarantine or family Corona virus positivity. This is the same with other elementary grades.
Due to many classes, even whole grades of teachers quarantined, we have teachers zooming from home while children attend school. Checking directly with the New York State Education Department (NYSED), it is not permitted to have classrooms physically run with children present, that the only staff member in the room is a teacher aide. These teacher aides are wonderful but this is not a certified area from the NYSED. Further checking with the Education Department in Albany, digital or Zoom learning with a teacher online not in the classroom, where the only adult physically in the room with children, is a teacher aide, who can’t even sub in the building, is not permitted by the State of New York. Thus, we are placing not only our children, parents and staff in Corona virus related jeopardy, the staffing in many of our classrooms contain an uncertified individual. By not having the physical presence of the certified teacher in the classroom, the NYSED says this is not permitted.
In summary, we thank every Board Member for not only reading this letter, discussing the content but notifying the community what are your next steps? The level of care for our children is most paramount. What additional levels of risk are we placing on our families as well as staff members and parents, by not responsibly following the clear evidence from the Governor, the CDC and medical experts?
The liability regarding health issues, plus having non-certified individuals in classrooms without the physical presence of a certified teacher is placing children and the district at significant risk. Do we want to wait one single day beyond this when a child, God forbid, has an emergency, becomes ill and the only person that is in that room is not an NYSED certified individual?
What would then be the response from not only community members, but the media, the NYSED and Governor's office? Once more, your attention to this urgent matter is not only appreciated but will save children and adults from the danger that is evident at this time, happening right now in Rye Brook, but designated danger zone is just across the road.
We are asking that you provide at least the 20% mandatory testing that neighboring distinct are doing, in order to stay open safety. We need the data to back up that we are covid safe.
The next steps and decisions are yours, your community awaits this right away.
Respectfully
The Issue
To Members of the Rye Brook Board of Education:
We want our schools to remain open, just as you do, however we need it done safely. There is no doubt that the public has been made acutely aware of the current extreme level of contagion regarding covid-19. The frequency of new cases is at a daily rate of nearly 200,000 more persons every day, the death rate increase is about 2,000 per day.
From Dr Fauci, the CDC and every medical expert, the prediction is well over 300,000 will have passed away by January 1st. Governor Cuomo has designated specific areas that the contagion is not only rising but reaching dangerous levels, that New York experienced in the first wave just 5 months ago. We are not exempt and alone from this fact.
Looking today at the Governor's actual map on his website, just across the street from our schools there is a clear yellow line followed by a more dangerous orange designated area to the east.
Corona virus doesn't stop at one door step and skip the next. Our parents and children travel to or may live in this dangerous yellow identified zone of contagion. This is fact, with this information there is absolute, conclusive evidence that at minimum our school should be testing children and staff immediately and daily after this Thanksgiving weekend and into the months ahead.
There are documented reason why the nearby school systems have either shut, will not return after Thanksgiving or are at minimum testing individuals entering the school buildings. What level of risk are we taking? It's our clear and factual knowledge that none of the first grade teachers are physically able to be in school due to illness, quarantine or family Corona virus positivity. This is the same with other elementary grades.
Due to many classes, even whole grades of teachers quarantined, we have teachers zooming from home while children attend school. Checking directly with the New York State Education Department (NYSED), it is not permitted to have classrooms physically run with children present, that the only staff member in the room is a teacher aide. These teacher aides are wonderful but this is not a certified area from the NYSED. Further checking with the Education Department in Albany, digital or Zoom learning with a teacher online not in the classroom, where the only adult physically in the room with children, is a teacher aide, who can’t even sub in the building, is not permitted by the State of New York. Thus, we are placing not only our children, parents and staff in Corona virus related jeopardy, the staffing in many of our classrooms contain an uncertified individual. By not having the physical presence of the certified teacher in the classroom, the NYSED says this is not permitted.
In summary, we thank every Board Member for not only reading this letter, discussing the content but notifying the community what are your next steps? The level of care for our children is most paramount. What additional levels of risk are we placing on our families as well as staff members and parents, by not responsibly following the clear evidence from the Governor, the CDC and medical experts?
The liability regarding health issues, plus having non-certified individuals in classrooms without the physical presence of a certified teacher is placing children and the district at significant risk. Do we want to wait one single day beyond this when a child, God forbid, has an emergency, becomes ill and the only person that is in that room is not an NYSED certified individual?
What would then be the response from not only community members, but the media, the NYSED and Governor's office? Once more, your attention to this urgent matter is not only appreciated but will save children and adults from the danger that is evident at this time, happening right now in Rye Brook, but designated danger zone is just across the road.
We are asking that you provide at least the 20% mandatory testing that neighboring distinct are doing, in order to stay open safety. We need the data to back up that we are covid safe.
The next steps and decisions are yours, your community awaits this right away.
Respectfully
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on November 27, 2020