Williamsville Central School District

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Micro-Cluster Frequently Asked Questions

Q: With the updated guidance for schools in a desiganted Orange or Red Zone micro-cluster designation, when does the District plan on re-opeing schools for in-person instruction hybrid/hyflex students?

A: The District has tentatively identified Monday, December 14, 2020, as a return date for in-person instruction for hyrid/hyflex students.  You can read the District's full communication to families and staff regarding re-opening here: 12-07-20 Update to Families and Staff Regarding Re-Opening and Testing.

Q: Where can I find the District's COVID-19 Testing Procedures?

A: The District's testing procedures can be found here: COVID-19 Testing Procedures

Q: When could the District begin testing?

A: The Distirct is scheduled to begin testing on Wednesday, December 9, 2020.

Q: What is the cost for the testing that is borne by the District?

A: As of November 12, 2020, our District has been informed that it will not incur costs for the actual tests.  New York State Department of Health will provide the tests to the District.  The District will need to incur costs related to administering the tests.  There is the potential for these costs to be reimbursed to the District through Cares Act funding and other similar grants.

Q:  How are individuals randomly selected?

A: The District is using WITS to randomly select students, faculty and staff participating in in-person instruction.

Q: How will families, faculty and staff be notified if they are randomly selected to be a part of the random testing population?

A: If selected for random testing, families, faculty, and staff will be notified through WITS.

Q: How will I know where and when I can be randomly tested?

A: This information will be available in the notification that is sent through WITS.

Q: Where are the District’s testing sites located?

A: The District has identified testing sites at Williamsville North and Williamsville South.

Q: Are remote teachers or students required to be tested so the school and/or District can meet the necessary NYSDOH guidelines regarding random testing?

A: No, remote teachers or students are currently excluded from having to be tested since they are not conducting or receiving in-person instruction in the building.

Q: What kind of COVID-19 test will be used?

A: The latest information the District has from conversations with the Erie County Department of Health is that Binax COVID-19 (non-invasive) rapid tests will be used. To view a demonstration of the test, click here: Binax COVID-19 Rapid Test.

Q: How long does it take to get COVID-19 rapid test results?

A: The approximate wait time for the testing process is 30 minutes.

Q: If randomly selected for testing, what do the notifications look like on WITS and text?

A: The District presented this detailed information during the Board of Education meeting on December 8, 2020.  You can view the presentation and see what notifications look like by clicking here.

Q: What happens if a student or staff member does not consent to having a COVID-19 test?

A: Based on the latest guidance from the NYSDOH, there is no consequnce for refusal of a test.  The District's random selection process will move on to select the next individual (student or staff) for random selection.

Q: Where can I find the latest information and guidance regarding Yellow, Orange, or Red Zone designation?

A: The District has created a Yellow, Orange, and Red Zone micro-cluster informational page that features guidance from the New York State Department of Health along with updates from the District. It can be accessed here: Yellow, Orange, and Red Zone Micro-Cluster Information.

Q: How will we know which schools or if the District is in a designated Yellow, Orange, or Red micro-cluster zone?

A: If a school or District is placed into a micro-cluster zone by the New York State Department of Health, Erie County, or the Erie County Department of Health, the District will notify the school community through WITSMail, e-Alert text messages, and social media.  Micro-cluster zones may be designated to zip codes, streets, or by more specific geographic location.  Here is a breakdown of zip codes and schools for our District:

14051
Dodge Elementary School
Casey Middle School
Transit Middle School
Williamsville East High School

14221
Country Parkway Elementary School
Forest Elementary School
Heim Elementary School
Maple East Elementary
Maple West Elementary
Heim Middle School
Mill Middle School
Williamsville North High School
Williamsville South High School

Q: What happens if a school or the District is placed in a Yellow Zone COVID-19 micro-cluster?

A: While schools can remain open if they are placed into a “Yellow Zone,” it is important to note that there is a mandatory weekly testing requirement to keep schools open. The current guidance requires 20% of the in-person population (students and staff) to be randomly tested on a bi-weekly basis.  If the testing parameters and/or capacity cannot be met by the testing authority, school building(s) will be required to close for in-person classes and will transition to remote instruction.  Changes to the "Yellow Zone" guidance were made on Monday, November 16, 2020.

Q: What happens if a school or the District is placed in an Orange Zone or Red Zone COVID-19 micro-cluster?

A: In an update to guidance on December 4, 2020, the NYSDOH indicated schools will no longer have to close if placed in a designated Orange or Red Zone micro-cluster. 

Orange Zone Micro-Cluster Testing

  • Schools located in a geographic area designated as an Orange Zone, a total of 20% of the in-person students, faculty and staff must be tested for COVID-19 over the one-month period following the zone designation.
  • The numbers tested should be proportionally spread across the month with 10% the maximum/minimum to be tested bi-weekly.
  • If the random sampling generates 9 or more positive cases in any school, or if for a sample size of more than 300 weekly tests achieves a positivity rate of 3% of one such discrete sample, then the school will be required to close.

Red Zone Micro-Cluster Testing

  • Schools located in a geographic area designated as a Red Zone, a total of 30% of the in-person students, faculty and staff must be tested for COVID-19 over the one-month period following the zone designation.
  • The numbers tested should be proportionally spread across the month with 15% the maximum/minimum to be tested bi-weekly.
  • If the random sampling generates 9 or more positive cases in any school, or if for a sample size of more than 300 weekly tests achieves a positivity rate of 3% of one such discrete sample, then the school will be required to close.

Q: What are the testing requirements if placed in a designated Yellow Zone COVID-19 micro-cluster?

A: If placed in a Yellow Zone, 20% of the in-person population must be randomly tested on a weekly basis.

For additional NYSDOH Guidance on Yellow Zone, Orange Zone, and Red Zone please review the following documents:

-        NYSDOH Yellow Zone Guidance

-        NYSDOH Orange and Red Zone Guidance

Q: Can teachers/administrators/staff report if we are in a yellow zone?

A: Yes, there is no prohibition on staff reporting – other than abiding by the current COVID-19 safety and health guidance which includes wearing of masks, daily screening, social distancing, maintaining gathering limits, etc. The District will need to meet the required 20% random testing sample for all in-school staff.

Q: Are the testing requirements for pre-schools as well?

A: The test only applies to pre-school if the pre-school is occurring on District property.  Since this is not occurring, the District, at this point, is not responsible for independent pre-school testing protocol.

Q: If my child(ren) needs a digital device, how do we request one?

A: Digital device requests can be submitted through this digital device request form: Digital Device Request Form.

Q: Where can I find the latest information regarding travel and quartine procedures?

A: The latest travel guidance from the New York State Department of Health, which was updated and released on November 3, 2020 can be viewed here: NYS Department of Health Updated Travel Guidance.  As outlined in the guidance, non-essential travel is strongly discouraged.  Please also be sure to complete the Daily COVID-19 Health Screening Questionnaire.