Dear parents of the undersigned Yeshivos and Bais Yaakovs,
Our goal is to have each of our dear talmidim and talmidos back in their classroom after yom tov on a timely basis, and to do our hishtadlus to keep our wonderful mishpachos and members of our beautiful community in good health.
The ability for our Yeshivos and Bais Yaakovs to open and stay open for in-person learning after Sukkos depends on how each and every family conducts itself over the Sukkos break; where we go, masking and whether we are careful or not to expose ourselves and others to the virus. Both local and state governments are closely following the number of cases in our neighborhoods and how we react to this escalating situation. If the number of positives cases (or percent) continues to rise and/or if masking and other protocols are not implemented and adhered to, we can expect very severe communal shutdowns affecting both yeshivos and shuls.
It goes without saying that from a health perspective as well, the recent serious uptick in cases is something we are all keenly aware of.
Please understand that our intention is to strictly enforce these protocols and it is incumbent on you to exercise sound judgment to ensure each of your children can return to school in a safe manner after Yom Tov.
· A health survey (below) will be required for each student prior to their return to school.
· Any student for which a completed survey has not been submitted will not be allowed into school after Yom Tov.
1. Have you knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19?
2. Have you tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
3. Have you experienced any symptoms* of COVID-19, including a temperature of greater than 100.0°F, in the past 14 days?
* Symptoms can include: shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, cough, muscle or body aches, headache, congestion, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
4. In the last 14 days, have you been in a crowded indoor space, without a face covering within 6 ft of other not in your household, for more than 15 minutes?
5. Did you travel outside of the tri-state area during Sukkos?
If you answered YES to any of the above, please provide a detailed explanation.
We ask that you keep your yomtov plans to immediate family only and avoid large groups and close mingling in shul, trips and elsewhere.
We hope that you, our dear parents, recognize that even though these protocols are burdensome and an inconvenience, this is the best and only path forward to ensure that our schools can open and remain open in a health and safe fashion.
The decisions that you, as parents, make will determine whether schools will be able to open and your children will be allowed to return after yom tov.
Wishing you a safe and healthy gutten yom tov!
Rabbi Yaakov Bender, Yeshiva Darchei Torah
Mrs. Chaya Gornish, Bnos Bais Yaakov of Far Rockaway
Rabbi Nosson Neuman, Bais Yaakov Ateres Miriam
Rabbi Dovid Sitnick, Talmud Torah Siach Yitzchok
Rabbi Mayer Weitman, Torah Academy for Girls
