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We are here to offer support during these times and share helpful resources on COVID-19.  We will continually update this page with important information that may be of use to you, your family, and unit.

Please click on each page link below for information and resources.

NEW Updated school mask guidance and an FAQ document regarding the school masking changes, Wednesday, March 2, 2022

NEW Governor Hochul meeting comments from NYS PTA President to Governor Hochul – February 8, 2022

NYS PTA Honored for COVID-19 Support Initiative

NYS PTA Continues to Support Parents and Families in Response to COVID-19

NYS PTA Leadership Webinars

Information on Pandemic EBT and School Meals

Current NYS PTA Positions

  • Focus must be on a full continues reopen of ALL school buildings for ALL children.
  • All parents and families should have the option to send their children to a school building full-time, 5 days a week.
  • We support a parent’s choice in whether or not their child will wear a mask in a school building.
  • Schools should continue to maximize distancing in all classroom spaces, and use all available other space as classroom space.
  • Other health and safety protections should continue for staff and students, according to relevant and timely data of reproduction rates, positivity rates, community spread, vaccination rates of staff and students, and other health and safety factors.
  • Remote learning may have to continue to be an option for limited students, like those with severe co-morbidity issues or those in extremely unique circumstances.
  • Academic intervention services must be a priority with meaningful and early assessments for learning loss.
  • As a part of a continued reopening strategy, pool testing could be one tool to support health and safety for staff and students.
  • Testing should continue as an option for students, with parental approval only
  • We do NOT support mandatory testing of students. 
  • We would oppose any COVID-19 vaccine mandate for children and students.
  • However, we urge parents and families to have the vaccine conversation with their child’s pediatrician.
  • We do not object to policies which would require adults in school buildings to either be vaccinated or tested on a semi-regular basis.

NEW/REVISED Information and State Guidance

2022

2021

NEW NYS DOH Guidance on “Test to Stay” program for Schools, October 27, 2021

Governor Hochul and DOH Reopening Guidance, September 2, 2021

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES NEW REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDANCE FOR THE SAFE REOPENING OF NEW YORK SCHOOLS

Requirement for COVID-19 Testing for Teachers and other School Employees—with Opt-Out for Vaccinated—Passes Public Health and Health Planning Council; Read the Regulation Here and the DOH Determination Letter Here

Department of Health Releases New Guidance for K-12 School Reopening; Read Guidance Here

The emergency regulation, which authorizes the Commissioner to require weekly testing or proof of vaccine, will apply to all schools in New York State until it is no longer necessary as described in the language of the regulation.  

The Commissioner’s determination for masking in schools, issued August 27th, applies to all indoor settings, including indoor sports and extracurricular activities. For indoor sports and extracurricular activities in which masking is not possible, such as swimming, a minimum distance of 6 feet must be maintained. Schools are encouraged to implement required screening testing for participants who are not fully vaccinated. 

If you have questions about what is happening in your school, please reach out to your school first.  Know the state office and your Region Director are also here to help. You can reach the state office by emailing pta.office@nyspta.org.  You can also find contact information about your Region Director HERE.

As we continue during this pandemic, we can no longer wait on PTA business. However, the health and wellness of your students, families, educators and members is most important. We also understand that many of you may be facing economic uncertainty, and all of us are coping with social distancing, and we are always here to help.

We would like to personally thank our great educators and school staff, who are working to provide home instruction, meals for students, and critical support for children and families during this pandemic. THANK YOU!

Further, a special thank you to essential employees who continue to serve our communities – health care professionals, first responders, grocery employees, tradespeople, and the others who keep our communities running. THANK YOU!

We are in this #Together. We are #PTA Strong.

Older Materials

NYS DOH message to school leaders, July 6, 2021 (IMPORTANT NOTE – this July 6, 2021 guidance has now been overrode by the September 2, 2021 guidance above)

“We are writing to share three updates relevant to 2021 summer schools.

1.Given current low rates of COVID-19 transmission, schools/district may decide to implement revised masking policies consistent with those available in the archived INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR CHILD CARE, DAY CAMP, AND OVERNIGHT CAMP PROGRAMS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY (https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/Child_Care_Daycamps_Detailed_Guidelines.pdf)

2.Daily reporting to the COVID-19 Report Card is no longer required.

3.Summer schools in NYS may follow either the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools Through Phased Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/operation-strategy.html)  or the current NYS INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION AT PRE-K TO GRADE 12 SCHOOLS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY (https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/Pre-K_to_Grade_12_Schools_MasterGuidance.pdf).

4.The above information applies to the 2021 summer session only and additional information will be shared regarding the 2021-2022 school year soon. These decisions, which should reflect local sentiment, may be made by the school superintendent or local board.  There is no requirement for additional public meetings.”

NEW – July 9, 2021 REVISED CDC Guidance for Schools

NEW – June 7, 2021 REVISED Guidance for Child Care and Camps

NEW – June 7, 2021 REVISED Guidance for Schools

NEW – May 15, 2021 REVISED Operational Strategies for Schools

April 21, 2021 REVISED Guidance on Quarantines

April 10, 2021 REVISED Guidance on Travel

April 30, 2021 REVISED Guidance on Graduation Ceremonies

Frequently Asked Questions Related to the June 2021 and August 2021 Exemptions from Diploma Requirements

Update on June 2020 Regents Exams