<p>The Mayor <a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Foffice-of-the-mayor%2Fnews%2F092-23%2Fwith-96-percent-city-workers-fully-vaccinated-mayor-adams-covid-19-vaccination&data=05%7C01%7CRIngram3%40schools.nyc.gov%7C46aca165607d4bf564a608db088c1d8f%7C18492cb7ef45456185710c42e5f7ac07%7C0%7C0%7C638113170101100773%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=437FC9Tz5zLd2idqAMpGv5YIPa11DKhar6mGTqn7TTU%3D&reserved=0">has announced</a> that as of <b>February 10, 2023</b> COVID vaccination is <i>optional</i> for DOE employees and others who work in DOE school settings or DOE buildings. Additionally, <b>visitors entering DOE school buildings would no longer be required to provide proof of vaccination.</b></p><p><b>Read the Chancellor's Letter to Families in</b> <a href="https://www.schools.nyc.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/family-letters/february-8-2023-family-letter-vaccine-mandate-lift"><b>English</b></a><b>,</b> <a href="https://www.schools.nyc.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/family-letters/35281-comms-2023-feb-family-letter-vax-mandate-chinese"><b>Chinese</b></a><b>,</b> <a href="https://www.schools.nyc.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/family-letters/35281-comms-2023-feb-family-letter-vax-mandate-korean"><b>Korean</b></a><b>,</b> <a href="https://www.schools.nyc.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/family-letters/35281-comms-2023-feb-family-letter-vax-mandate-bangla"><b>Bengali</b></a><b> or</b> <a href="https://www.schools.nyc.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/family-letters/35281-comms-2023-feb-family-letter-vax-mandate-spanish"><b>Spanish</b></a><b>.</b> Other languages are available <a href="https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/messages-for-families">here</a>.</p><p>At the recommendation of DOHMH, we continue to encourage students and staff to mask up indoors and will continue to distribute at-home rapid test kits and masks to students and staff. We also continue to encourage all members of our community to get vaccinated against COVID-19, including updated boosters, as this provides the best protection against serious illness from the virus.</p><p><b>Frequently Asked Questions</b></p><p><b>What if we want to continue to require visitors and staff to be vaccinated at our school? Can we require unvaccinated visitors to test, or issue our own requirements?</b></p><p>Schools will not be allowed to institute their own school-specific vaccination requirements.</p><p><b>Why is the DOE making this decision with cases still present?</b></p><p>The vaccination requirements were established by a Health Commissioner’s order, which is now expected to be lifted. As always, we follow the expertise of city health leaders and any applicable requirements.</p><p><b>Will parent teacher conferences be in-person? Will it be mandated?</b></p><p>Parent-teacher conferences will continue to be conducted remotely in accordance with an agreement with UFT for the current school year. Parents/caregivers, however, may always request in-person conferences at a mutually agreeable date and time.</p><p><b>Does this mean non-vaccinated parents can enter schools again? Attend PSAL games?</b></p><p>Yes, this means that beginning February 10, non-vaccinated parents and community members can enter schools and attend PSAL games and other activities that take place in school buildings.</p><p><b>How does this impact PSAL?</b></p><p>As announced in September of 2022, students are no longer required to be fully vaccinated to participate in high-risk sports.</p>
