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March 1, 2022

Dear Rochester City School District Students, Families, and Staff,

Governor Hochul announced Sunday that masking will be optional in New York schools beginning tomorrow. County Executive Bello and Dr. Mendoza endorsed the Governor’s decision and indicated that masking should be a family’s choice.                                        

Per the Governor’s announcement, RCSD will transition to optional masking in our schools and buildings as of tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. The use of masks will become the individual choice of families and staff members. Please be advised that masks will be required in certain situations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. At this time, we are still waiting for updated guidance from the New York State Department of Health regarding contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine.

I recognize that individuals will react differently to this news, as this is a sensitive topic for many. It is important that we respect each other’s decisions and continue to provide a safe, welcoming environment for all our students and staff. I want to thank everyone who participated in our masking survey on February 14 - 17, and I appreciate your feedback. The results can be viewed here.

Please be assured that ending the mask mandate does not change our daily practices related to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students and staff. In addition, we will:

• Continue to supply high-quality masks for those who want them.
• Provide COVID-19 rapid test kits to anyone who requests them.
• Continue to offer families the option for students to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing at their schools.
• Continue to share the number of COVID-19 cases per school on the website.

Getting vaccinated is an important step to help keep everyone safe. The District is partnering again with Monroe County to host three vaccination clinics for children ages 5 – 17. Please visit www.rcsdk12.org/clinics for more information, including links to schedule an appointment.

I appreciate your continued patience, understanding, and cooperation, as we work through these changes together as one RCSD community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Lesli Myers-Small
Superintendent of Schools

February 9, 2022

Dear Rochester City School District Families,

Last November, I submitted a proposal for school reconfigurations and closures to commence next school year. After much discussion with stakeholders and the desire for a robust community conversation, I have decided to suspend the proposals to reconfigure or close the following schools:

• Virgil I. Grissom School No. 7
• Charles T. Lunsford School No. 19
• Nathaniel Hawthorne School No. 25
• Adlai E. Stevenson School No. 29
• Andrew J. Townson School No. 39
• Montessori Academy School No. 53
• Flower City School No. 54
• RISE Community School No. 106
• Alice Holloway Young School of Excellence
• Northwest Junior High at Douglass
• Rochester International Academy

Unfortunately, we remain in a situation where the need to reconfigure and close schools is a reality. Our enrollment continues to decline, we have undersubscribed and low-performing schools, and recommendations in our NYS academic and fiscal plans call for a reduction of the District’s footprint.

Community engagement on school closures and grade-level configurations will continue this spring when we initiate the planning of Phase III of the Facilities Modernization Program. We will share data and information, have difficult conversations, and make tough decisions. Final determinations will be presented to the Board of Education for a vote in October 2022.

My goal is to provide a high-quality education with robust programming and all the necessary supports that every scholar deserves. I look forward to a healthy discussion on the future of our District.

Sincerely,

Lesli Myers-Small, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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February 9, 2022

Dear Students and Families of Leadership Academy for Young Men,

I am saddened to share that at the February 8 Board of Education meeting, we announced the closure of Leadership Academy for Young Men at the end of this academic year.

Unfortunately, we remain in a situation where the need for school closures is a reality. Our enrollment continues to decline, we have undersubscribed and low-performing schools, and recommendations in our NYS academic and fiscal plans call for a reduction of the District’s footprint. In consideration of all these factors, I am implementing a well-planned closure that will allow students, families, and staff to make a thoughtful and orderly transition to another school community.

We want to make your transition to a new school as smooth, simple, and successful as possible. In the coming weeks, we will begin working with students and families to talk about placement options in other school communities. My goal is to provide a high-quality education with robust programming and all the necessary supports that every scholar deserves.

Sincerely,

Lesli Myers-Small, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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February 9, 2022

Dear Students and Families of Northwest Junior High and Northeast College Preparatory High School,

I am writing to share some exciting news with you. At the February 8 Board of Education meeting, I announced the relocation of Northeast College Preparatory High School to the Charlotte Campus, which is located at 4115 Lake Avenue. Northwest Junior High will remain at the Douglass Campus and continue to serve 7^th and 8^th grade students.

The Charlotte Campus provides a learning environment that is more conducive to high school students while the Douglass Campus is designed for middle school programming. This move will allow both school communities to grow and flourish in their own educational spaces.

Under this plan, the following changes will take place, effective the 2022-2023 school year:

• Current Northeast students will have the option to move to the new campus or work with our Student Placement Specialists to select a new school.

• Leadership Academy for Young Men will close at the end of this academic year, and that facility will become the new home of Northeast.
• All Northwest 8^th grade students must participate in the school choice process to select a high school. With the relocation of Northeast, there is no longer a guarantee that current students in 8^th grade will have a seat.

We want to make this transition as smooth, simple, and successful as possible. In the coming weeks, we will begin working with students and families who wish to transfer to a new school community about their placement options. My goal is to provide a high-quality education with robust programming and all the necessary supports that every scholar deserves.

Sincerely,

Lesli Myers-Small, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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The District is aware that a State Supreme Court judge in Nassau County ruled the Governor’s mask mandate is unconstitutional. Last evening, the New York State Education Department announced that the mask mandate in schools remains in effect, as the State ​intends to appeal the decision.

Currently, there is no change to our previously shared RCSD expectations for masking and social distancing. Wearing a mask that covers your nose, mouth, and chin is a requirement for all students, staff, and visitors in the RCSD.

Thank you for all you continue to do to help keep our schools safe and open.

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The District is continuously monitoring the number of staff absences, and when we cannot cover these absences, we will transition to remote learning at individual school buildings or the entire District.

All students should continue to bring their technology to and from school each day. We will inform you as soon as possible about future transitions as they occur.

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