Dear Syosset Community,

As we start the last month of the school year, we find ourselves almost 15 months into a crisis we anticipated might last a year and a half, and we continue to see hopeful signs with each passing day. Over the last 14 days, there have been 570 COVID cases in Nassau County, but just 2 of those cases were in the Syosset-Woodbury community, and only one of those was related to the schools.

Despite many unknowns, we reopened schools under extraordinary circumstances through the hard work, sacrifice and cooperation of the whole learning community, and, little by little we restore activities, like elementary Field Days, that bring us closer to normal. End-of-year celebrations, Moving Up ceremonies at the middle schools, and commencement for the full SHS Class of 2021 will look different, but more familiar this year too. I’m grateful for the community’s support, proud of our students’ resilience, unbelievably appreciative of our faculty and staff, and like everyone, excited for the hope this good news portends.

New Mask Guidance
Late this afternoon, the NYS Health Commissioner issued a letter to the CDC informing them of the State’s intention to issue new guidance that will no longer require students or staff to wear masks outdoors or indoors in schools (though masks would still be strongly encouraged), and asking the CDC to react to the State’s proposal. We now await both the CDC’s response and any changes it may cause to the State’s plans. Please note in the absence of any new guidance -- which has not been made public or issued to schools -- the existing guidance remains in effect.

Moving Up/Graduation Events
By now, you should have received information from the building principals on the plans to honor our students moving up from the middle schools and graduating from the high school. Information on the 5th grade moving up ceremonies will be coming out shortly. Please pay close attention to the information included in the emails, as there are important protocols that will need to be followed to ensure fun and safe events.

Bright Spot
This week, the PTA Council held their final meeting of the school year during which they took some time to acknowledge members of our learning community who have given so much of themselves for the betterment of our schools and educational program. One of the awards was presented to the entire District Facilities and Operations team, led by Mr. Greg Hamilton, who noted that because they typically work behind the scenes, it was particularly gratifying for his team’s extraordinary efforts to be recognized in such a meaningful way. Like many this school year, they have truly gone above and beyond to keep our buildings safe and to help us pull through these last 15 months. I’m so grateful to the PTA for acknowledging their hard work and dedication.

Stay safe this weekend!
Tom Rogers