Back to School Plan Home

Back to School Plan Summary

Part 1:
In-Person Instruction

Part 2:
Monitoring Health Conditions

Part 3:
Containment

Part 4:
Closure of School Facilities

COVID-19 Information Page

Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES is prioritizing efforts to return all students to in-person instruction in the safest, most equitable manner possible.

For the most part, Herkimer BOCES programs are returning to their 2019-20 pre-pandemic schedule of having students in-person every day.

Following guidance received from the New York State Department of Education that is based on recommendations from the United States Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics, Herkimer BOCES is implementing a layered approach to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in its school buildings. By combining these layers of protection, Herkimer BOCES has more flexibility depending on the situation - which makes full-time, in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic possible and safer.

The wearing of face masks will be required at all times in all school buildings, in both classroom and non-classroom settings; except during meals and official mask breaks.

3 feet of social distance will be required in classrooms, 6 feet in cafeterias and as much as possible/practicable in physical education. Eating will mostly take place in classrooms due to 6 feet of social distancing being required for eating.

Cleaning and disinfection recommendations from the CDC will be adhered to, and students and staff will be instructed on good hand and respiratory hygiene.

No temperature-taking will be taking place at the buses. Students and staff should stay home if they are showing signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Parents should screen their children for COVID-19 symptoms before sending them to school each day.

Students and staff who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms will be sent home and should not return until they are symptom-free for 24 hours or have a negative test or a specific alternative diagnosis (such as allergies) from a licensed medical professional.

Any member of the school community who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, has direct contact with a person identified as having COVID-19 or has been otherwise exposed to COVID-19 should immediately seek diagnostic testing.

Students who go home sick will be treated like before COVID-19- work might be sent home for them to do (if they are well enough or if they will be out for several days), but there is no expectation they will receive their school work in a remote manner (because Herkimer BOCES is not teaching in a hybrid setting this school year).

If an entire class/program is quarantined, then virtual instruction would be put into place for the entire class/program.

To download a PDF of the 2021-22 Back to School Plan Summary, click here.