Visitation Academy



Visitation Academy8902 Ridge BlvdBrooklyn, NY 11209Dear Visitation Community,In recent days, there have been many news stories from Governor Cuomo about the COVID Cluster Initiative. As part of the Governor’s Cluster Action Initiative, Visitation Academy is in the Yellow Zone – which is a precautionary COVID zone.From the Governor’s Office:“On Tuesday, as part of the state's Cluster Action Initiative, the Governor announced that schools open to in-person instruction in "Yellow Zones" would be required to test a portion of their in-person students, staff, and teachers at least once a week. The NYS Dept. of Health today is issuing guidance requiring 20% of students, teachers, and staff who are in-person in schools located within "Yellow Zones" to be tested once a week?starting next Friday, October 16. All results must be reported promptly to DOH and will be made available on the COVID Report Card dashboard. As needed, the State will provide rapid test kits free of charge to local governments, health departments, schools, or whichever local health providers are designated by the local government, to help localities and schools meet this requirement which is a key part of ensuring COVID-19 does not spread into schools within nearly geographic proximity to where the state is monitoring cluster outbreaks.”?This mandate by the Governor raises many questions, and the Diocese is working with NYC DOHMH and Office of Non-Public Schools – NYC DOE to find out the answers. To date, we are still waiting for further details. Regarding any testing, parental consent will have to be given and NYC DOHMH has not been able to provide information about the administration of this testing. As soon as the Diocese has clear answers from NYS and NYC Departments of Health, we will forward the information to all the parents.Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we navigate all the requirements of New York State and New York City.We again thank you and the students for following all required protocols: wearing a mask, social distancing, hand washing/sanitizing, staying home if ill, and following the requirements for absences - submitting medical clearance signed by a licensed NYS Medical Professional clearly stating the student can return to school, and either indicate a diagnosis or that the illness was not COVID related.Jean BernieriMother Susan KasprzakVisitation would like to thank Senator Andrew Gounardes for sending additional PPE to our school.From the Diocese of Brooklyn:As we continue to keep you updated on the on-going impact on the Catholic schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn. We wish to share the following information.What we know today:The initial NYC Zip Code Closure Plan has been replaced by the NYS COVID Cluster Initiative.To locate the school “Zone” please us the NYS COVID Hot Spot locator: within the Diocese of Brooklyn have been notified if the school has been identified as being in the Red Zone, Orange Zone or Yellow Zone.Red Zone and Orange Zone schools have switched to Remote Instruction no later than October 9 and are awaiting the re-opening criteria from NYS Department of Health.The earliest date for the possible re-opening of schools identified in the Red and Orange zone is October 23rd pending re-opening criteria and guidelines from New York State.Yellow Zone schools are continuing in-person instruction with the addition of required COVID testing.The NYC Department of Health will be conducting a survey of the Yellow Zone Schools requesting information on the challenges of implementing a COVID testing program. Areas of concern, but not limited to:Parental ConsentTesting SuppliesAdministration of the COVID testReporting of the COVID DataCurrently there are many more questions regarding COVID testing than we are receiving answers. We are waiting to receive details and additional information regarding testing from the New York City and New York State health agencies.Action Steps:Bishop DiMarzio filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Churches and Schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn. Our request for a TRO (temporary restraining order) was denied our request for an expedited hearing on our lawsuit was granted and the Judge set a hearing for Thursday, October 15th in the Eastern District Court of New York. Parents should continue outreach to government officials.The Office of the Superintendent of Schools continues to advocate on behalf of all the Parish School and Catholic Academy communities to request that New York State provide clarity on the COVID Cluster Initiative and its impact on the schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn.Since this is an evolving situation, we will continue to maintain open communication and share information as we receive it from New York City and New York State agencies. ................
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