Message from the Warwick Valley CSD Board of Ed

Howard A. Zucker, M.D., J.D.
Commissioner of Health
Empire State Plaza, Corning Tower
Albany, NY  12237

Dear Commissioner Zucker,

The time has come for the New York Department of Health to take a hard look at relaxing the standards regarding the end of academic year celebrations for commencements and graduation ceremonies. Throughout New York, school districts are planning outdoor graduation ceremonies this spring that require strict attendance limitations, often leaving no choice but to host several smaller ceremonies. With several thousands of spectators now permitted to attend indoor sporting events in New York, allowing school districts to host one traditional outdoor ceremony in their own community with their families in attendance is a needed and safe change to your current requirements. Students and their families deserve nothing less than the traditional outdoor ceremony. 

Further, the New York State Department of Health regulations about mask-wearing in schools is clear and states, “Face masks are required at all times, except for meals.”  Please consider relaxing this standard as well, especially when staff and students are more than six feet apart, outdoors, or vaccinated.

Sincerely,

Board of Education
Warwick Valley Central School District

cc:   Karl Brabenec, Assemblyman
       The Honorable Andrew Cuomo 
       Dr. Irina Gelman, Orange County Commissioner of Health   
       Sean Patrick Maloney, Representative
       Michael Martucci, Senator
       Steven Neuhaus, Orange County Executive
       James Skoufis, Senator
       Orange County School Boards Association