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Syndication: Westchester County Journal News
NEW YORK (77WABC) — The Mount Vernon School District will be closed to in-person learning starting Wednesday amid recent surges in COVID-19 cases.
“I have been very reluctant to close schools, but given the current trends in COVID cases, it would be risky not to do so,” Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton wrote in a statement. “Please be advised that we will be going to 100% virtual instruction beginning Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021. Schools will reopen on Tuesday, January 18th, 2022.”
The district will also require testing for staff and students when they return next month, and will also implement weekly testing. Hamilton added that extended closures may be necessary.
“I am grateful to our faculty, staff, administration, and board for their responsiveness to the community’s needs,” Hamilton wrote. “Please be mindful of the changes taking place each day and that our school employees are doing a lot to keep up with those changes.”
Hamilton also said in the letter that all schools in the district will still provide breakfast and lunches from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The closures come as Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to safely keep schools open, saying that the state will send at-home testing kids with children in COVID-affected classrooms as part of the effort.
