The Mayor has announced that as of February 10, 2023 COVID vaccination is optional for DOE employees and others who work in DOE school settings or DOE buildings. Additionally, visitors entering DOE school buildings would no longer be required to provide proof of vaccination.
Read the Chancellor's Letter to Families in English, Chinese, Korean, Bengali or Spanish. Other languages are available here.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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?
Schools will not be allowed to institute their own school-specific vaccination requirements.
Why is the DOE making this decision with cases still present?
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.
Will parent teacher conferences be in-person? Will it be mandated?
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.
Does this mean non-vaccinated parents can enter schools again? Attend PSAL games?
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.
How does this impact PSAL?
As announced in September of 2022, students are no longer required to be fully vaccinated to participate in high-risk sports.
