When will Webster Schools return to full-time in-person learning?

Webster CSD Superintendent gives reopening update

Photo: Webster elementary students on their first day of school a few years ago (long before the days of COVID).

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Webster, NY - As students return from February recess, Webster Central School District Superintendent Carmen Gumina addresses the question that is on every family’s mind…

When are students able to return to in-person learning five days a week?

Previously, Gumina had shared with families that he expected full-time in-person learning to resume in September 2021.

In his latest update, Gumina says, “I, and all of the other area superintendents, have continued to have conversations with Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Michael Mendoza who has provided updates on efforts to reopen even sooner than September.”

But in order for Monroe County schools to reopen sooner than September, Gumina says there are certain “science-driven metrics” that must first be met. These include access to the vaccine, declining infection rates, and relaxing the six-foot rule.

“Over the last two weeks, we have seen remarkable advances in not only our faculty and staff receiving and having access to the vaccine, but also another vaccine getting closer to emergency use approval by the FDA (thank you, Johnson & Johnson!),” Gumina writes.

Gumina says there are three factors that will determine when schools can return to 100% in-person learning:

1) The six-foot rule has to be amended. Gumina says the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) will ultimately have to make that amendment.

2) NYSDOH is currently reviewing our region’s seven-day rolling average of new COVID cases. If the daily case rate (which is currently around 140+) decreases to below 45-50 new cases per day, NYSDOH may decide to relax the six-foot distancing rule - especially as more people receive the vaccine.

3) Last but not least: our region’s vaccination numbers. When the number of people who receive the full double-dose of the vaccine grows significantly, NYSDOH will consider reducing the six-foot distance rule.

Of course, WCSD will also have to continue closely monitoring the number of new COVID-19 cases amongst its students and staff as reported by the Monroe County Department of Public Health.

According to the district’s regular COVID-19 notifications to families, the number of students/staff testing positive who were last on campus grounds throughout the month of February totaled just over 30.

To stay updated on the Webster Central School District’s most recent COVID-19 cases, Click HERE.