Revised Tiered Mitigation Plan
Adopted February 17, 2022 | Updated March 2022
Introduction
The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District executed a full return to school in September. Since the beginning of the year, most of the protocols required for us to reopen have been mandated by the NYS Department of Health (see new LEVEL 3 below). When those mandates expire, the district will need to identify its approach through locally designed mitigation protocols (see new LEVEL 1 & 2 below). A modified mitigation plan has been created by a group of administrators, teachers, support staff, and parents. This modified plan was approved by the BHBL Board of Education on February 17, 2022. This plan will expire on June 30, 2022 unless further Board of Education action is taken.
Personal and Structural Protections
We will use this chart as a communication tool for letting parents and students know what the expectations are. It is helpful to think of various strategies for mitigation as falling into two categories:
- Some strategies involve personal protection. This would include strategies such as universal mandated wearing of face masks, mask type, mandatory staff testing, test-to-stay for students, contact tracing, and quarantine. In the district’s plan, these personal protections will only be mandatory when specifically put in place by NYS law, valid NYSDOH mandates, or in special cases upon order of the county departments of health or the district’s Medical Director based upon local circumstances.
- Other strategies involve structural protections. This would include strategies such as social distancing, ventilation, and sanitizing procedures. In the district’s plan, structural protections may or may not be required, based upon mitigation level and independent of whether they are required by NYS law or NYSDOH Mandate.
Revised Tiered Mitigation Plan Chart
[Print-Friendly Version of Revised Plan]
Additional information regarding mitigation protocol:
- COVID-19 Vaccines: Vaccines remain available locally to all eligible students and staff. Saratoga County Department of Public Health states: “Vaccination is the most effective strategy against the virus that causes COVID-19 disease.” Contact the County Health Department or your medical provider for more information about the vaccine.
- Contact Tracing/Quarantines/Test to Stay & Return to School: As of 2/16/2022 the NYSDOH has suspended contact tracing and as a result largely eliminated quarantines and test to stay practices. Any individual with active COVID-19 symptoms should remain home from school until symptoms resolve and take a home or PCR COVID-19 test. Students/staff that test positive for COVID-19 must follow the latest NYSDOH guidance, currently: remain home from school for 5 days after the onset of symptoms and wear a well fitted mask for an additional 5 days upon return to school.
- Face Masks: The District will supply all requesting students and staff with appropriate face masks while supplies and budget can accommodate. With appropriate medical documentation, N-95 face masks will be provided along with required fit testing.
Movement to Virtual School: Parents of children with documented medical concerns will be given an option to apply for a transfer to the Capital Region B.O.C.E.S. virtual school anytime a movement is made between Level 2 and Level 3.
Archived Communications Regarding Reopening School/COVID/Mandates
Updated Feb. 27, 2022
In a press conference on Sunday, Feb. 27, New York State Governor Hochul announced that the statewide mask mandate will be lifted on Wednesday, March 2. This means that beginning Wednesday, masks are optional for students, staff and visitors to BH-BL schools and buildings…
Updated Jan. 28, 2022
Update Jan. 18, 2022
This past weekend, updated COVID-19 health and safety guidance was released from the state. One of the biggest changes impacting school districts is that the New York State Department of Health will no longer conduct contact tracing. On a regional level, this means that individuals potentially exposed to COVID-19 will not be contacted by their local departments of health, including Schenectady and Saratoga counties. [READ FULL LETTER]
Update Jan. 7, 2022
Please read the letter from school nurses explaining the state’s Test-to-Stay protocols and test kit procedures. There are also two different Attestation Forms that must be filled out by parents for their children to return to school.
Update Sept. 29, 2021
BH-BL will follow all guidance from NYS. Currently, Governor Hochul is requiring all students, staff and visitors to schools to wear masks while indoors and while riding the school bus. If a child forgets a mask, he/she will be given a disposable mask to wear. There will be mask breaks throughout the day. Masks may be removed when eating, drinking or outside.