Mask Mandates in Local Elementary Schools
Teachers, students and parents from the Poughkeepsie City School District (PCSD) comment on back to school protocols, from the September PCSD Superintendent brief.
September 9, 2021 marked the first day of school for students at Morse Elementary School and Smith School, the Early Learning Center in Poughkeepsie, New York. Students were seen wearing masks and getting health screened at the main door prior to entering the building.
The hallways buzzed with hundreds of young students — adhering to the CDC guidelines of staying three feet apart from one another, of course — and teachers were ecstatic about seeing their students’ faces in person after a long, hard year and a half of teaching virtually. “I’m so happy to be back and have all my kids in my classroom.” says Mia Runza, a teacher at Smith School. “They’re glad to be back and be with their friends working on manipulatives and playing.”
Poughkeepsie elementary schools and the school district as a whole has specific guidelines that all students and faculty must adhere to, that were provided from the CDC. “The district will adhere to the New York State Education Department’s Health and Safety Guide for the 2021–2022 School Year,” Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser says.
In order to keep children safe this upcoming school year, these requirements include: masks will be required for all individuals inside school buildings regardless of vaccination status, schools will adhere to the social distance requirement of a minimum of three feet between individuals inside, cleaning protocols have been updated and aligned to individuals occupying building spaces five days a week, the availability of hand sanitizer and PPE are unchanged from last year, extracurricular activities and athletics for the 21–22 academic year are all anticipated to proceed as normal and the PCSD will continue to promote and share information about vaccination opportunities.
Although getting “back to normal” is an exciting feeling that is radiating amongst students and faculty at Morse Elementary and the Early Learning Center, some students may be more cautious than others about having classes back in person. “I’m excited, but nervous.” says Chace Taylor, a second grade student. Other students may be relieved to be back in-person after learning behind a screen for more than a year. Jada Richardson-Ramsey, a fifth grader, mentions that she is happy to be back in school after being stuck at home all of last year. “I like being in the building because it is easier to learn,” she explains.
COVID-19 has been consuming the lives of millions of Americans for over a year, and many people want it to be over. Jerilynn Davis, grandmother of a student that attends the Early Learning Center says, “I’m ready for it [COVID-19] to be over. As long as it’s safe, I’m good,” commenting about the safety procedures that are in place at her grandsons school.
Although the new norm is not completely “normal,” the morale at Morse Elementary School, the Early Learning Center and amongst the PCSD is high, and many students are excited to learn and be back in school with their friends.
For more information on mask mandates at Morse elementary school, the Early Learning Center and within the PCSD, visit: poughkeepsieschools.org, and dutchessny.gov/coronavirus.
