Dear Families,
We are writing to share some important information from the district. Our first priority continues to be protecting the health and safety of our students, staff, and families as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. We also wanted to take a moment to celebrate with our community that The Times Union shared an article about the top 20 schools in the Capital Region last week. Their list included a wide area as far west as Schalmont, east to Schodack, north to Ballston Spa, and south to RCS. RCS was listed as #17, which is noteworthy among the 85+ schools in the Capital Region. Here is a link to the article (which may require a subscription to view).
This letter contains important information from our district about: COVID-19 Protocol Reminders, RCS COVID-19 Testing Consent Form, Important Upcoming Dates, Winter Sports, and Mask Procedures Reminders.
Reminders about Quarantine Guidance: We have created COVID-19 Illness, Isolation, and Quarantine Guidance Charts to help families understand the guidance. Please remember that if a student or staff member is sick, they should not come to school/work that day. You can access the New York State Department of Health guide to exposure and contact tracing here.
RCS COVID-19 Testing Consent Form: Yesterday we sent home via email a COVID-19 Testing Consent Form that will allow us to test your student for COVID-19 at school for screening or diagnostics purposes. You can find more information here. That form will also be coming home via backpack mail. If you are not able to locate the form and are unable to print it from our website, please contact your child’s main office for another copy.
The entire RCS District is closed next Monday, October 11, 2021, for the federal holiday.
Tuesday, October 12, 2021: Staff Development Day, Early Dismissal PK-12.
Elementary Schools: On October 12, the day ends at 12:30 PM. Parent pick up will begin at 12:05 PM and buses will start to be called at 12:15 PM. It is important to note that PM Pre-k students will not be coming to school that day and AM Pre-k students will be dismissed with the rest of the grades. The after-school program will be held at both AWB & PBC.
Middle and High Schools: Students will dismiss at 11:07 AM, there will be no PM CTE this day.
Winter Sports: We sent home some information regarding winter sports registration earlier in the week to qualifying grades via email, you can find that information on our website here.
Mask Procedures Reminders: The wearing of masks in schools is required by the New York State Department of Health. The main office in each building has appropriate masks available for students, staff members, or visitors who do not have a mask upon arrival to school, break/dirty their mask, or have a mask that is not appropriate for school. Here is an excellent article from Johns Hopkins Medicine on the proper procedure for wearing a mask.
We appreciate your support for our district and students as we navigate this new school year. If you have any questions about anything covered in the letter, please reach out to your student’s building for clarification. Thank you and have a great weekend,
Brian Bailey, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools