RCSD announces 2021-22 school year will be in-person 5 days a week with indoor masking

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Rochester City School District (RCSD) Friday announced that students will return to school in person five days a week during the 2021-22 school year.

The RCSD said the school year will start on Wednesday, Sept. 8, and that the only students who will receive remote instruction are students who have applied for a medical exemption that has been approved.

Masks will be required for all students and staff while they’re indoors, regardless of their vaccination status, according to the RCSD’s announcement.

Please see a letter from Superintendent Lesli Myers-Small @LCMLessons with important information about the 2021 – 2022 school year pic.twitter.com/5BSuApyR4L

— Rochester City School District (@RCSDNYS) August 6, 2021

The school district says its reopening plan will also include handwashing, staying home while sick, cleaning and disinfection and contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation. Students will also be expected to take their temperature before they leave for school.

The RCSD was 100% remote for most of last year before elementary schoolers and students with special needs were able to return in the spring.

The head of the teachers’ union, Adam Urbanski said he agrees with the superintendent on the CDC guidance, but he has some reservations.

"You can only imagine how difficult and confusing it has been for children so they need additional services and the superintendent has not said anything about that in her message today," Urbanski said. "I hope that will change next week."

The RCSD says it will provide more details about the upcoming school year to parents via Zoom on Saturday, Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parents can click here to register.