Originally published: August 2021, updated September 15, 2021; updated November 19, 2021; updated March 1, 2022
As we look forward to a full return to in-person education in September, please know that the health and safety of our students, our staff and their families remains our top priority—in addition to maximizing opportunities for learning and extracurricular/athletics participation.
To do this, we must prepare for shifting rates of transmission of the COVID-19 virus and its variants throughout this school year.
March 1 Update to District’s Mitigation Plan
The Watervliet City School District effectively implemented a full return to school this year, providing strong academics and an array of
extracurricular and athletic opportunities. The district used a layered mitigation approach based on New York State Department of
Health (NYSDOH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to address COVID-19 health and safety concerns.
Based on the most recent guidance from the CDC, the NYSDOH, and Albany County Health Department officials, we have updated our mitigation plan. Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the state’s mask mandate will be lifted effective March 2, 2022. This will make mask wearing in schools optional.
Outlined below is a summary of the updated protocols we will follow in our schools as of March 2. This is a layered mitigation approach based on the local COVID-19 community levels, as determined by CDC guidelines.
“Layered mitigation” refers to coordinated health and safety measures designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19, as well as the recognition that different measures may be needed based on community levels.
View/Download Print-Friendly COVID-19 Layered Mitigation Protocols: 2021-2022 Plan (updated 3/1/22)
COVID-19 Vaccines │COVID-19 Testing │Face Masks (Indoors) │Monitoring Community and School-Based Transmission │Social Distancing (Indoors) │School Visitors (Indoors/Outdoors) │Facilities Use │Handwashing, Hand Sanitizer and Respiratory Etiquette │Contact Tracing and Quarantining │Staying Home When Sick (Staff and Students) │Return to School/Work Protocols (following illness) │Cleaning and Disinfection │Cafeteria │Recess and Physical Education (Outdoors) │ Ventilation and Air Quality │Bus Transportation │High-Risk Activities ─ Athletics & the Arts (Indoors) │High-Risk Activities ─ Athletics & the Arts (Outdoors)
COVID-19 Vaccines
- Low — Encouraged.
- Medium — Encouraged.
- High — Encouraged.
COVID-19 Testing
- Low — Surveillance and Rapid testing available.
- Medium — Surveillance and Rapid testing available.
- High — Surveillance and Rapid testing available.
Face Masks (Indoors)
- Low transmission — Optional.
- Medium — Optional.
- High — Recommended.
Monitoring Community and School-Based Transmission
- Low — Ongoing.
- Medium — Ongoing.
- High — Ongoing.
Social Distancing (Indoors)
- Low — 3 feet physical distancing encouraged.
- Medium — 3 feet physical distancing.
- High — 3 feet physical distancing.
School Visitors (Indoors/Outdoors)
- Low — No restrictions.
- Medium — Minimal restrictions.
- High — Moderate restrictions, no unnecessary visitors.
Facilities Use
- Low — No restrictions.
- Medium — Minimal restrictions.
- High — Limited “outside group” use of school facilities. Must include Watervliet students and no concession stand use.
Handwashing, Hand Sanitizer and Respiratory Etiquette
- Low — Encouraged and expected.
- Medium — Encouraged and expected.
- High — Encouraged and expected.
Contact Tracing and Quarantining
The district will engage in contact tracing with ACDOH and follow applicable DOH protocols.
- Low — 6’ close contact perimeter for more than 10 minutes.
- Medium — 6 feet close contact perimeter for more than 10 minutes.
- High — 6 feet close contact perimeter for more than 10 minutes.
Staying Home When Sick (Staff and Students)
- Low — All are instructed to stay home when sick.
- Medium — All are instructed to stay home when sick.
- High — All are instructed to stay home when sick.
Return to School/Work Protocols (following illness)
- Low — Return per ACDOH protocols.
- Medium — Return per ACDOH protocols.
- High — Return per ACDOH protocols.
Cleaning and Disinfection
- Low — Daily routine cleaning.
- Medium — Daily routine cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces.
- High — Daily routine cleaning and disinfection moderate and high-touch surfaces.
Cafeteria
- Low — 3’ distancing encouraged.
- Medium — 6 feet distancing encouraged.
- High — 6 feet distancing required.
Recess and Physical Education (Outdoors)
- Low — No restrictions.
- Moderate — No restrictions.
- High — Social distancing encouraged.
Ventilation and Air Quality
- Low — Increased fresh air circulation (mechanical, open windows, open doors).
- Medium — Increased fresh air circulation (mechanical, open windows, open doors).
- High — Increased fresh air circulation (mechanical, open windows, open doors).
Bus Transportation
- Low — Face masks optional.
- Medium — Face masks optional.
- High — Face masks recommended.
High-Risk Activities ─ Athletics & the Arts (Indoors)
- Low — Masks optional for participants and spectators; Weekly Surveillance Testing available for unvaccinated students in High Risk Sports.
- Medium — Masks optional for participants and spectators; Social distancing encouraged for spectators; Limited spectators; Bell covers for band; Weekly Surveillance Testing available for unvaccinated students in High Risk Sports
- High — Masks recommended for participants and spectators; 3’ social distancing for spectators; 50% capacity for vaccinated spectators (Proof of vaccination with Excelsior Pass, Vaccination Card, or signed doctor’s note indicating date of full vaccination AND photo ID); Bell covers for band; Vaccination or medical exemption for eligible students participating in modified, junior-varsity, or varsity high-risk extracurricular sports; Weekly Surveillance Testing for unvaccinated students in High Risk Sports.
High-Risk Activities ─ Athletics & the Arts (Outdoors)
- Low — Masks optional for participants and spectators; Weekly Surveillance Testing available for unvaccinated students in High Risk Sports.
- Medium — Masks optional for participants and spectators; Social distancing encouraged for spectators; Weekly Surveillance Testing available for unvaccinated students in High Risk Sports.
- High — Masks optional for participants and spectators; 3’ social distancing for spectators; 50% capacity for vaccinated spectators (Proof of vaccination with Excelsior Pass, Vaccination Card, or signed doctor’s note indicating date of full vaccination AND photo ID); Vaccination or medical exemption for eligible students participating in modified, junior-varsity, or varsity high-risk extracurricular sports; Weekly Surveillance Testing for unvaccinated students in High Risk Sports.
CDC COVID-19 Community Levels
Visit the CDC website for details on community levels.