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reopening

Connections: Local small business owners and founders discuss the state of reopening

By & • Aug 14, 2020

Dozens of small business owners held a news conference this week to call on New York State to allow for further reopening. The owners represented gyms, fitness centers, movie theaters, bowling alleys, and more. They argue that New York State has handled the pandemic well, but has not been consistent with reopening plans.

Is it time to open the gyms? Is there a case for comedy clubs or movie theaters? Our guests weigh in:

Connections: Greece Central School District Superintendent Kathleen Graupman on reopening

By & • Aug 7, 2020

This fall, Greece Central School District will operate under a hybrid model. Under the plan, most students will be in schools two days a week and then do remote learning for three days, but students also have the option to learn at home 100 percent of the time.

Superintendent Kathleen Graupman says the model was selected after the district heard from thousands of parents and students. She joins us this hour to discuss Greece's plan. Our guest:

  • Kathleen Graupman, superintendent of Greece Central School District, and head of the Monroe County Association of Superintendents

Schools in New York will reopen in the fall, Cuomo says

By Dan Clark • Aug 7, 2020
freeimages.com/shutesandladders12

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday formally gave schools the green light to reopen, saying the coronavirus infection rate was low enough in New York for students to return to class in the coming weeks.

But students and staff will have a very different experience at schools this year, with new precautions in place to prevent the disease from spreading.

"By our infection rates, all school districts can open everywhere in the state,” Cuomo said. “Every region is below the threshold we established."

RIT, UR faculty wary of return to campus this month

By • Aug 4, 2020
Max Schulte/WXXI News

Rochester Institute of Technology has an extensive safety plan ready for the start of the fall semester on Aug. 19.

Cuomo to issue school reopening guidance next week

By • Jul 31, 2020
Dan Clark New York Now

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he’ll decide next week on whether schools can partially or fully reopen in September.

Meanwhile, many school districts have been busy figuring out safe ways to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some have already made some preliminary decisions.

Cuomo said he’s waited until early August to make a final decision because he wants the latest data available on the rate of transmission of the virus. Cuomo, speaking in mid-July, said the reopening will be guided by science.

That theater experience, and people giggling, is what at-home content misses

By • Jul 22, 2020
Dryden Theatre

The problem with our new reality is, we can’t see it from where we are now.

The new reality, of course, is COVID-19. The numbers -- more than 600,000 dead worldwide, more than 140,000 dead in the United states -- tell us the virus is not a conspiracy theory. Science tells us it’s not going to simply disappear.

Schumer: Federal stimulus proposal would give billions to schools, colleges

By • Jul 13, 2020
James Brown / WXXI News

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that there’s bipartisan support for a new federal stimulus plan that includes relief for schools and colleges. 

On the campus of the Victor Central School District, Schumer announced some details of the proposal. 

If passed, Schumer said $175 billion would be given to all public and private kindergarten through 12th grade schools. He said a similar formula would be used for colleges and universities across the country, which would receive more than $130 billion.

RCSD seeks community opinions on reopening schools

By • Jul 8, 2020

A new survey from the Rochester City School District asks students, parents and staff their concerns and questions about reopening schools. 

“The survey was released to help better understand the concerns and/or questions individuals have regarding the reopening of schools this fall,” a statement from the district said.

The feedback is expected to be used along with guidance from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and national, state and local health officials. 

Seneca Park Zoo reopens this weekend with new admission process

By Beth Adams • Jun 26, 2020
Max Schulte/WXXI News

For the first time in more than three months, visitors were walking along the trails at Seneca Park Zoo on Friday morning.

The zoo opened only for members. The public will be welcomed back on Sunday.

To limit overcrowding, visitors have to make online reservations, and 125 people will be allowed through the gate every half-hour. Acting zoo director David Hamilton said Friday's schedule was sold out, with 1,625 zoo members registering for tickets.

Once inside, everyone over the age of 2 is required to wear a mask and follow a one-way path through the exhibits.

Connections: Local servers on the scene at restaurants that have reopened

By & • Jun 24, 2020

We talk with local servers about their experiences with restaurants reopening. Many establishments opened for outdoor seating in Phase 2, and now, in Phase 3, customers are also back to dining indoors.

What are the safety guidelines for customers and for staff? Are people following those rules? Our guests share their experiences and observations:

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