September 1, 2021
Dear Carmel Parents & Students,
Welcome to the 2021-22 school year! Tomorrow is an exciting day as we welcome our students back to our buildings to kick off an amazing year. I hope that you enjoyed your summer break and are entering the new year at Carmel Central School District refreshed and ready to learn!
While we head into another year that is a bit different than a typical year, our incredible teachers and staff are committed to creating a wonderful, supportive, safe and fun learning environment for all students.
As a reminder, tomorrow, September 2, is a full day of school for our students in grades 1-12, and a modified school day for our incoming kindergarteners with an orientation and bus run. Detailed information for our incoming kindergarteners was emailed directly from the elementary schools’ principals.
Fall 2021 Reopening Plans
A final plan document outlining the Fall 2021 Reopening Committee’s decisions for our reopening is available on the Carmel Central School District website. Similar to our spring plan, the final plan document is a living document that may change as new guidance and mandates arise.
A few reminders for coming back to our buildings:
- Mask wearing: As mentioned in the email sent on August 29, in accordance with the mandate issued by the New York State Department of Health, all students, staff and visitors must wear face masks while inside Carmel Central School District school buildings and while on school buses, regardless of vaccination status.
- COVID-19 Screener: A daily COVID-19 health screener for each student will no longer be required. However, parents are asked to commit to a one-time agreement for following specific health guidelines, similar to those listed in the screening form in the spring. Please complete the COVID-19 screener document (Spanish COVID-19 screener document), one for each child, and return it to your child’s building principal no later than September 10, 2021.
- Cleaning/Disinfecting/Mitigation Strategies: The same cleaning and disinfecting protocols in place during the spring will continue in our buildings. Windows and doors will continue to be kept open as much as possible. Barriers will still be an option.
- Social-Emotional Learning Screeners: In order to ensure that social-emotional needs are met for all students, we are asking parents to complete a Social-Emotional Screening Survey for each student, similar to the one completed last year. Once this screening questionnaire is completed, our counseling and clinical staff will review your/your child's individual needs and determine a plan moving forward.
The final 2021 Reopening Plan document provides full details on these areas and more. If you have any questions regarding our reopening plan, please send an email to reopening@carmelschools.org.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to look to the leaders at the state and local Departments of Health and state Education Department for guidance. We recognize that there are still so many unknowns in the world today, but one thing we do know is that our teachers and staff will provide a supportive and enjoyable year for our students.
Once again, welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! I can’t wait to see our students again tomorrow morning!
Sincerely,
Mary-Margaret Zehr
Superintendent of Schools
Carmel Central School District
