January 25, 2022

Dear Catholic Academy and Parish School Families,

As you may be aware, a New York State Supreme Court Judge in Nassau County ruled last night that the statewide mandate ordering students and staff to wear masks in schools is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced. However, the New York Supreme Court in Albany County has determined the mandate is constitutional and legal. 

Shortly after the ruling was issued, the New York State Department of Education (SED) notified all school districts throughout the state that the Department of Health has appealed the decision, and a stay has been issued that restores the mask rule. Therefore, SED dispatched the following statement:

The State Education Department understands that Nassau County Supreme Court has ruled that the Department of Health exceeded its authority in enacting the mask regulation, 10 NYCRR 2.60, in Demetriou et al. v. New York State Dep’t of Health et al. This regulation is the subject of conflicting decisions, insofar as Albany County Supreme Court recently upheld the regulation in Massapequa UFSD et al. v. Hochul, et al.

It will now be left to the appellate courts of the State to resolve the conflict between the two Supreme Courts. Because an appellate court has Stayed the Nassau Supreme Court Order that Order cannot take effect at this time. Therefore, all schools must comply with the mask mandate as issued by the State. Naturally, if the Governor rescinds the mask mandate, there would be no need to await the Court decisions. It is our fervent hope for the Catholic Academies and Parish Schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn that the mask mandate will be eliminated which would allow our schools to make mask wearing optional based upon local circumstances. If the appellate courts strike down the mask mandate, our schools and academies will IMMEDIATELY be able to make masks optional. However, until the appellate courts render a final decision, our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools must follow the State mask mandate.

We will continue to monitor this situation closely and keep you informed.

We thank you for your continued patience and understanding!

Sincerely,

Rev. Msgr. David L. Cassato

Vicar for Catholic Schools

Thomas Chadzutko, Ed.D.

Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services

Joan McMaster

Deputy Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services

New York State Board of Regents Betty A. Rosa Commissioner of Education The State Education Department The University of the State of New York / Albany, NY 12234 Office of Communications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2022

Media Contact:

JP O’Hare or Jeanne Beattie

(518) 474-1201

www.nysed.gov

 

STATEMENT FROM COMMISSIONER BETTY A. ROSA ON

GRANTING OF STAY IN MASK CASE

 

We are pleased the Appellate Division granted the application by the Department of Health and the Governor’s office, confirming the lower court’s decision is stayed pending further proceedings. As such, the mask mandate remains in effect for schools across the state. We support Governor Hochul and the state Department of Health as they continue with the appeal. We thank the members of our school communities for their patience during this process.

 

The State Education Department understands that Nassau County Supreme Court has ruled that the Department of Health exceeded its authority in enacting the mask regulation, 10 NYCRR 2.60, in Demetriou et al. v. New York State Dep’t of Health et al.  This regulation is the subject of conflicting decisions, insofar as Albany County Supreme Court recently upheld the regulation in Massapequa UFSD et al. v. Hochul, et al.

It is SED’s understanding that the Department of Health will appeal the Nassau County Supreme Court decision, which will result in an automatic stay that will unambiguously restore the mask rule until such time as an appellate court issues a further ruling.  Therefore, schools must continue to follow the mask rule.

Jan. 2, 2022

Good afternoon, 

May the Peace of Christ be with you.

As you know, Omicron seems to have a life of its own. Keeping that in mind our school community will try its best to protect our students, teachers, and staff to the best of their ability.

Please do not send your child to school, tomorrow, Jan. 3^rd, 2022, if they are sick in any way including: runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, earache or stomach ache.  If your child or family member was exposed to anyone with COVID, do not send your child to school or if your child or family member is waiting a COVID test result as well.

Tomorrow, school will end at 3PM and there will not be any Afterschool Program because our classes can’t be combined due to COVID. 

If there are many cases of COVID in our school community, we may return to remote learning for a few days until Omicron subsides. 

Children will have temperature checks as they enter school tomorrow. If any student has a temperature, he/ she will be sent home immediately. Please do not forget to fill out the health screening paper for your child/children.

 With all this in mind, we will be opened until 3PM tomorrow.  Let us pray together for an end to COVID and in thanksgiving for all the gifts we have been given on the feast of the Three Kings.

God bless you,

Mrs. Freebes

 

 

Dear Saints Joachim and Anne School Family,

On behalf of the women, children and families that Hour Children serves and benefit from your generosity, thank you! You have made a gift that truly makes a difference.

Thank you for your support of our mission.

– From everyone at Hour Children