Happy Thanksgiving!

Good Morning,  Newfield CSD and Community Families

There are two important messages below.  Please take time to view them both as we are entering our first of two longer breaks in the school year and our PTA is in need of your support and membership.   

The Newfield CSD and community continues to do an exceptional job in limiting the spread of COVID-19. To date, the Tompkins County Health Department has not notified the District of transmission in any of our school buildings, and it is believed all positive cases of COVID-19 were contracted outside of the school setting. This is all thanks to our collective commitment to health and safety practices. 

This is the time of year when typically many find themselves traveling to visit, or have visitors, family and friends. However, doing so in the midst of a pandemic comes with significant risks and strict regulations. On November 11, NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo released new guidance reducing the number of people allowed to gather, indoors or outdoors, at private residences to 10.

If you are planning to travel in the coming week or weeks, we urge you to do so with an abundance of caution. Additionally, we all are required to follow New York State’s travel guidelines outlined below: 

For any traveler to New York State from the list of hot spot states, US territory or CDC level 2 or level 3 country, the new guidelines for travelers to test-out of the mandatory 14-day quarantine are below: For travelers who were out-of-state for more than 24 hours: Travelers must obtain a test within 3 days of departure, prior to arrival in New York. The traveler must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for 3 days. On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain another COVID test. If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.   For travelers who were out-of-state for less than 24 hours:  The traveler does not need a test prior to their departure from the other state, and does not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State. However, the traveler must fill out our Traveler Health Form upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID diagnostic test 4 days after their arrival in New York.

 

The following chart provides a visual representation of the requirements for your reference: 

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4: Test
Before leaving for New York State, obtain a COVID-19 test, any 3 days before departure from the other state			Upon arrival to New York State, quarantine (stay in your home) and obtain another COVID-19 test on Day 4

As community spread increases in our region, and we see COVID-19 positivity rates rising within Tompkins County, adherence to our health and safety measures are perhaps more important than ever. In addition to wearing a mask, maintaining 6 feet of distance, frequent handwashing, staying home when sick, practicing good respiratory hygiene, and answering the daily health screening, the Tompkins County Health Department is discouraging all gatherings between households and all non-essential travel. 

Thank you for your continued efforts and strength in the midst of this extraordinary time. The Newfield community is exceptional, and we look forward to the day when we can gather together, and travel, as we once did.  We look forward to having all in-person teaching and learning resume on Monday, 11/30, unless otherwise directed by New York State or the Tompkins County Health Department.  At the bottom of this message there are helpful links for COVID-19 information.  

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving break and look forward to returning n-person on Monday, 11/30. 

 

PTA Message,

Please see the attached document membership form for the Newfield PTA.  This is an important part of our community and school and your membership would be welcomed.  

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lD422P1J2OEsCO-aPSGz2kQiOESGR0X4VoW0U5HOrTw/edit?usp=drive_web

 

Please stay healthy and safe

Eric Hartz

Interim Superintendent 

 

 

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For more information on travel

NYS Travel Advisory: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory

For general inquiries contact the Hotline: 1-888-364-3065 or Ask a Question: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/form/ask-us-a-question

Resources to assess risk with travel or gatherings

COVID Act Now: https://covidactnow.org/?s=1327329

COVID-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool: https://covid19risk.biosci.gatech.edu/

Creative ways to celebrate safely

Tips from the CDC for Celebrating Thanksgiving and Consider Other Thanksgiving Activities

A Virtual Thanksgiving Dinner Is The Best Way To Celebrate Family And Show Gratitude This Year