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It’s the first day of Fall classes for most school districts in New York State.
Cortland City Schools begin tomorrow (September 8), with today being a Professional Development Day for staff only.
Students at each of the county’s five local districts — including Homer, Cincinnatus, McGraw and Marathon — will return to full in-person learning, five days per week.
Masks are required inside at all times, but not outdoors, regardless of vaccine status.
Buses can once again be full with two students per seat, meaning bus runs should return back to normal after complications last year caused by limited occupancy.
Additionally, social distance in the classroom is reduced to three feet; down from six feet in 2020.
Current guidelines also greatly limit the amount who need to quarantine when a positive case is identified. Those who are vaccinated and don’t have any symptoms no longer need to do so.
For students and staff who are symptomatic or unvaccinated, same-day weekly testing will be offered free of charge, thanks to a partnership with the County Legislature and OCM BOCES.
Individuals with symptoms used to have to go home and see a doctor to be tested. Now, they can do so in their school nurse’s office.
Remote learning could still be a possibility in the future, depending on local infection trends.
City schools superintendent Bob Edwards says there will be two district-wide practice remote days:
September 27 – Remote Learning Day for all Students; Staff to report to buildings
November 1 – Remote Learning Day for all Students; Staff to test alternative spaces
Homer superintendent Tom Turck said virtual tutoring is being offered for students who need to quarantine.
