Good Afternoon Chautauqua Lake Parents and Faculty & Staff:
 
We hope this message finds you safe, healthy, and enjoying your Sunday. On Friday the CDC released guidelines that suggest most individuals can stop wearing face coverings.  Today at 2:00 pm, Governor Hochul held a press conference and stated that effective Wednesday, March 2 the New York State mask mandate in schools will be lifted.  Wearing face coverings will remain a requirement for Monday & Tuesday this week.  
 
Below is an update on the protocols we will be following at Chautauqua Lake:
 
Face Coverings - as of Wednesday, March 2, the mask mandate in schools will be lifted. The choice to wear a face covering is at the discretion of the individual employee/student/guardian.  This means that the wearing of a face covering for faculty, staff & students will be optional in all classroom and school settings at Chautauqua Lake.  We will continue to supply face coverings for anyone who chooses to wear one.  

Daily Screening - Beginning Wednesday, March 2, we will no longer require the completion of the Chautauqua Lake Daily Questionnaire Form arrival to school for faculty, staff, and students. Although the screenings are no longer required, we require that you continue to monitor your temperature, symptoms, and COVID exposure each day and if you have any symptoms, please do not come to work or allow your child to come to school.
 
Social Distancing - We will continue to enact our social distancing procedures to the extent practicable. We are fortunate to have a larger modern school which enables us to keep students and staff socially distanced in most situations.
 
Testing Kits - We still have an ample supply of test kits and anticipate receiving more this week.  We will continue to make them available to students and staff as long as supplies last.  If you would like a kit, please contact your supervisor, building principal or our school nurses. School nurses can be reached by emailing Michelle Holley (mholley@clake.org) or Terry Smith (tsmith@clake.org). 
 
Mandatory & Volunteer Testing - As of now New York States  mandatory weekly testing for faculty and staff who have not submitted proof of vaccination continues.  All of these individuals will still be required to test weekly.  Students who have elected to volunteer to test will also still be allowed to do so on a voluntary basis.  We will keep you posted if any of this changes.
 
Reporting of Positive Cases - We will continue to work with the Chautauqua Department of Health to report positive cases.  We will keep you updated on any changes to this process.
 
All other protocols - including quarantine, close contacts, and Test to Stay remain in place until further notice.
 
We expect more detailed guidance to follow from NYSED.  If that guidance impacts our protocols we will communicate those changes ASAP. 
 
On behalf of the Chautauqua Lake Board of Education and the Chautauqua Lake Leadership Team, we thank you for all you are doing to keep each other safe and healthy!  We have successfully persevered through the pandemic by staying positive, being proactive and working together!  Thank you!  As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions regarding the above information (office number 716-753-5808).   
 
Thank you so much for your continued support and flexibility,
Dr. Liddell, the CL Board of Education and the CL Leadership Team