Some Buffalo Public Schools students will be returning to the classroom in a couple weeks, the first time since the coronavirus pandemic started nearly a year ago.
At its regular meeting Wednesday evening, the Buffalo School Board unanimously approved the district's plan to bring Pre-K, 1st and 2nd graders, high school seniors and "selected high-needs students" back into school buildings beginning Feb. 1.
The board acknowledged that local health officials have given their assurances that "it is generally safe to reintroduce students and staff back into the physical school environment." Additional students may be brought back as health officials deem safe.
The resolution approved by the board also allows Schools Superintendent Kriner Cash "to close either one, multiple, or all schools and return the students and staff at those school(s) to virtual instruction if he, in consultation with medical professionals and officials, determine it to be in the best interests of the safety and well-being of students and staff to do so."
As most of Erie County is in a COVID Orange Zone, the schools will have to adhere to all of the state’s Orange guidelines, including 20% monthly testing of students and staff.
Parents can opt out. The district is asking parents to complete opt-out forms as soon as possible.
The district's complete reopening plan can be found here.
