Coronavirus Updates from NYSSBA

During the coronavirus pandemic, members of NYSSBA will receive regular On Board Extra updates as well as the print editions of On Board. All of these resources are made possible by the support of our member schools districts.

School Reopening Resources

• Supplement to the Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• Reopening Schools: Bob Schneider interview with LI Newsradio with Jay Oliver
• Study Break Podcast: On Reopening Schools: How Students Can Thrive
• NYSSBA Research Report: Beyond The New Normal
• Preparing K-12 School Administrators for a Safe Return to School in Fall 2020 (CDC)
• Regulatory Flexibility for the Reopening of Schools (New York State Education Department) – PDF
• Interim Guidance for in-person instruction at pre-k to grade 12 schools during the COVID-19 public health emergency (New York State Department of Health)
• Reopening Schools Task Force (New York State Education Department)
• Checklist for Pre-K to Grade 12 School Reopening Plans – PDF
• Guidelines for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools – PDF
• Dave Allen Podcast: Reopening New York Schools
• WBFO: Resources needed for schools to reopen safely
• School Reopening Resources (New York State Education Department)
• Considerations for school-related public health measures in the context of COVID-19 (World Health Organization)
• School Reopening Checklist (Center for Disease Control)
• Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes (Center for Disease Control)
• What Will it Cost to Reopen Schools (Association of School Business Officials and the School Superintendents Association)
• All Hands on Deck: Initial Guidance Regarding Reopening School Buildings (National Education Association)
• COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Return to In-person Education in Schools (American Academy of Pediatrics)
• A Plan to Safely Reopen America’s Schools and Communities (AFT)

School Reopening Guidance

• School Reopening FAQs July 22, 2020 (New York State Education Department) – PDF
• Recovering, Rebuilding, and Renewing: The Spirit of New York’s Schools - Reopening Guidance (New York State Education Department)
• New York State Reopening Guidance – Presentation to the Boards of Regents (PDF)
• NYC Return to School 2020 (New York City Department of Education)
• Interactive: Roadmaps to Reopening – States’ Guidance to Schools on Meals, Masks, Handwashing and More
• State-by-State Map of Where School Buildings Are Opened or Closed

School Board Resources

• WSHU: New York School Budget Votes Take Place Amid Uncertainty - NYSSBA Executive Director Robert Schneider quoted
• Governor Announces Rule Changes for the 2020 School Board Elections and Budget Vote
• Bob Schneider interview with LI Newsradio with Jay Oliver
• WAMC: NY Schools Adjust During the Pandemic, Prepare for Tight Budgets  – Interview with NYSSBA's David Albert
• Research Report: Coping with Economic Fallout from the Coronavirus
• Empire State Weekly – Interview with NYSSBA’s David Albert (interview runs from 1:10 – 8:55)
• Next on the Agenda
• NYSSBA Sample Policy 8131: Pandemic Planning
• National School Boards Association: COVID-19: Preparing For Widespread Illness in Your School Community

School Resources

• Handbook for Summer School Administrators and Principals (2020)
• Feeding Children in Need and Child Care for Essential Workers During the Summer
• Memo: Supplement #2 - Provision of Services to Students With Disabilities During Statewide School Closures Due to Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Outbreak in New York State - June 20, 2020
• Memo: Supplement #3 - Provision of Services to Students With Disabilities During Statewide School Closures Due to Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Outbreak in New York State - June 20, 2020
• State Education Department
• Resources for K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs
• US Department of Education - COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel
• Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities
• School Closure Map
• NYSED.gov Facilities Planning Website
• Section 100.2(c)(11) of Commissioner's Regulations Hands Only CPR requirement exemption for graduating seniors due to the COVID-19 Crisis
• Study Break Podcast: Game of Inches
• Board of Regents Acts on Third Series of Emergency Regulations to Ease Burdens on Educators, Students and Professionals in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic
• State Health Department: Updated Interim Guidance for Graduation Celebrations During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• Regents Examination and Graduation Requirements Questions Related to COVID-19 Closure
• WAMC: The Capitol Connection #2022 - NYSSBA Executive Director Robert Schneider
• CDC Guidance for Resuming School and Day Camps (pages 45-52)
• NYSSBA News: Teaching from Home
• NYSSBA News: Helping Your Community
• NYSSBA News: The Class of COVID-19
• 10 Strategies for Online Learning During a Coronavirus Outbreak
• Study Break Podcast: Lovin’ Learnin’ at Home
• Study Break Podcast: The 1918 Spanish Flu
• Study Break Podcast: Building Back Our Schools
• Study Break Podcast: Pass the Transition Playbook
• Study Break Podcast: Follow the Rainbow
• Study Break Podcast: The Show Must (Sort of) Go On
• Study Break Podcast: Schools Go Remote. NY Goes Strong

Legal Information

• NYSSBA's COVID-19 and Public Education in New York FAQ
• Implementing the Open Meetings Law during the COVID-19 Outbreak
• NSBA COVID-19 Legal Guide

Mental Health Resources

• Mental Health And COVID-19 – Information And Resources
• Trauma-Informed Resources During COVID-19
• Study Break Podcast: Make Stress Your Ally
• Study Break Podcast: How to Beat the Self-Quarantine Blues
• Study Break Podcast: How to Reduce Youth Pandemic Anxiety

Health Information

• NYSSBA News: Healthy Eating - In this edition of NYSSBA News health and nutrition expert, Dr. Marcie Fraser, provides healthy eating tips for families while being at home during the Coronavirus pandemic.
• Coronavirus Virus Fact Sheet
• NYSSBA News: Coronavirus: Impact on School Districts - Rebecca O’Donnell, director of epidemiology at Albany Medical Center Hospital provides her expertise on the impact of the coronavirus virus and how school districts can be prepared.
• NYS Department of Health
• Social Distancing Simulator
• World Health Organization Advice for the Public

Public Statements

• August 7: Statement of NYSSBA Executive Director Robert Schneider on School Reopening
• July 29: Board members wary of safely reopening schools in September without additional funding
• May 1: Statement of NYSSBA Executive Director Robert Schneider on the Closing of Schools for the Remainder of the 2019-20 School Year
• April 7: Statement from New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Robert Schneider on Regents Exams
• April 3: Statement of New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Robert S. Schneider on the 2020-21 State Budget