![The didtict logo followed by the text that reads "a letter from the superintendent #wizardstrong]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1643120243/wsk12nyus/jzvtjxqdxsa7xrxvy8mz/LETTERFROMTHESUPERINTENDENT.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1643120243/wsk12nyus/jzvtjxqdxsa7xrxvy8mz/LETTERFROMTHESUPERINTENDENT.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1643120243/wsk12nyus/jzvtjxqdxsa7xrxvy8mz/LETTERFROMTHESUPERINTENDENT.png","width":800}])
January 25, 2022
Dear Washingtonville Community:
As some of you may have heard, Nassau County’s Supreme Court overruled the mask mandate last night. However, late last night, following that ruling, the Attorney General filed a Notice of Appeal on behalf of Gov. Hochul and the NYS Commissioner of Health. As per legal procedure (Civil Practice Law & Rules 5519), this Notice of Appeal triggers an automatic stay, or pause, on yesterday’s court ruling. This automatic stay reinstates the Commissioner of Health’s emergency regulation effective immediately. Therefore, masks must continue to be worn in schools pending a further ruling by the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department of the Supreme Court of New York. Here is the appeal that was filed.
There is no change to the mask protocols we have been following. All students and staff members are required to wear masks at school. We will continue to follow the guidelines of the New York State Education Department and New York State Department of Health.
As we have all experienced, this pandemic has required continual flexibility and we recognize that all of this uncertainty can be overwhelming. I ask that you continue to be respectful of the law and our mask wearing procedures.
As this situation evolves, we will provide further communication.
Sincerely,
Dr. Larry Washington