Schools seek more COVID guidance as fall term quickly approaches

WATERVLIET – Most K-12 students in the Capital Region will be going back to school in about six weeks. Districts are discussing ways for students to return to classes in September as normally as possible.

Watervliet City School District officials say they want to have all of their students back in the classroom this year.

They want their kids to have a normal experience. They are just waiting to hear back from the State Department of Health on how to proceed forward.

Assistant Superintendent for the Watervliet City School District Don Stevens says there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

"We’re anxiously waiting for some guidance to know what the parameters are, how much of a plan we have to put together and what kind of mitigation strategies we should have in place for students to return in the fall," said Stevens.

The CDC recently reversed their mask guidelines. They are recommending for people to wear masks indoors where there is a high COVID-19 transmission rate. Also, they are saying kids should wear masks in school.

Learn about the plans the district already has in place as they await any possible new guidance by watching the video of Jonathan Hunter’s story.

The New York State Department of Health sent this statement to NewsChannel 13 after the evening reports aired:

"The latest announcement from the CDC reinforces the fact that public health metrics are constantly changing, and it is difficult to predict what will be most effective for schools this far in advance. New York State continues to review the new CDC guidance and daily data outcomes, communicate with education stakeholders across the State and will ultimately make our recommendations for the fall based on what is in the best interest of public health, particularly when it comes to children."