Dear Families,

At the recommendation of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and in accordance with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-childcare-guidance.html), COVID-19 test kits will be available on-site in our schools and distributed upon request for students and staff experiencing symptoms and/or with a known exposure to someone with COVID-19. This new procedure will begin May 1 and replaces the previous practice of automatic distribution of four tests per month to each student.

As always, vaccinations remain our best defense against the spread of COVID-19. We continue to encourage up-to-date vaccinations for all students and wearing masks in indoor settings, especially during respiratory virus season. Please visit our school health policy page at schools.nyc.gov/2023Health for all updated information.

Children aged six months and older are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. If your child is eligible but not yet vaccinated against COVID-19, please take the opportunity to make an appointment at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or call 311 to find a vaccination site near you. COVID-19 vaccination is free to all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration or insurance status.

Anyone aged five years and older can get the updated COVID-19 booster shot if they received their last vaccine dose at least 2 months ago. Eligible New Yorkers should get the new bivalent booster even if they received the previous booster doses. Please visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-todate.html for more information on COVID-19 vaccination schedules.

The health and safety of our students is important to us, and we will continue to follow the guidance of our City, State, and federal health agencies. Thank you for your continued partnership.

Sincerely,

Tracy Agerton

Assistant Commissioner Office of School Health