Originally Posted: August 20, 2021

Please see the following message from Superintendent Chevrier. It contains important information about:

  • The status of 2021-2022 reopening plans & protocols
  • Remote instruction for medically vulnerable students

All school reopening news and COVID-19 updates can be found on the district’s 2021-2022 Reopening Updates page here.


Dear Schodack Community,

The first day of classes is approaching quickly, so I am checking in with you again on the status of Schodack’s reopening plans for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. Additionally, I have some information for you about remote instruction for medically vulnerable students in 2021-2022. 

Reopening Plans & Protocols Update

Earlier this month the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) said they would not provide reopening guidance for school districts, a change from last year. In the absence of formal NYSDOH guidance, districts were told to create their own reopening protocols using the current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance for schools. Shortly after that, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) released the Back to School Health and Safety Guide, to assist schools in their reopening planning. NYSED’s guide was based on the current CDC guidance and recent guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics.    

At this point in time, Schodack has created a preliminary reopening plan which I presented to our board of education at their meeting on Wednesday, August 18. You can see the slide presentation of this preliminary reopening plan here. Our preliminary plan is based on the NYSED guide and was made in coordination with the other Questar III BOCES regional school districts. While this plan is not yet final, it will give families a good idea of what we expect COVID-19 mitigation protocols to be when school starts in a few weeks. 

As you likely know, Kathy Hochul will be taking over as New York State Governor early next week. Ms. Hochul has now said several times she plans to enact additional COVID-19 mandates for state schools once in office. If the incoming governor enacts additional mandates our final reopening plan for 2021-2022 will reflect them and any additional input from our board members as well. 

Remote Instruction for Medically Vulnerable Students

This school year Schodack will not be offering a choice between remote and in-person instruction for all students. However, families with medically vulnerable or immunocompromised students can request to have them enrolled in the Questar III BOCES Virtual Learning Academy for K-12 students in place of in-person instruction.  This virtual learning option is ONLY available for students with a doctor’s note stating the reason for their medical vulnerability, followed by approval from our school district physician. 

Students enrolled in this program will be taught by an NYS Certified teacher but not a Schodack CSD Teacher. Please also know that course options and electives will be limited for students in grades 6-12. Additionally, to allow for proper scheduling, class sizes and budgeting purposes, this program will require a commitment for the entire school year

To begin the process of determining your student’s eligibility for Questar’s Virtual Learning Academy, please reach out to Angie Beber, Schodack CSD Pupil Personnel Services Secretary,  at (518) 732-2523 no later than Friday, August 27.  

Finally, a reminder that I will be hosting my final online Reopening Community Forum of the summer this coming Wednesday, August 25. I encourage all interested families to log in and join me at 6:00 PM. You can learn more about the August 25 community forum here.  

Once our 2021-2022 reopening plan and protocols are finalized we will share them with you. As always I appreciate your patience and support.

Jason M. Chevrier
Superintendent
Schodack Central School District