Dear Lang Community, We are hard at work with our campus preparations, eager to welcome back our students, faculty, and staff for the 2022–2023 academic year. Our current COVID-19 protocols are posted below. The Lang School has always taken the protection of our community very seriously, and particularly as it pertains to the mitigation of COVID-19.  We very much intend to continue that effort.  The School has designed our response to COVID-19 and the operating measures that we will take for this coming school year after close attention to both the regional and national data and recommendations, with the focus of continuing our academics and school life, with the minimum possible distraction from the school mission.  Our approach to COVID-19 is always flexible and will be adjusted as appropriate when regional and national COVID-19 data inflect.   As of the beginning of the school year 2022-23, masks will be optional for students, teachers and staff, and physical distancing and on-campus COVID-19 testing has been discontinued.  It is important to note that students and employees should continue to stay home if exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, and should contact Lang’s Administrative team for return-to-school instructions. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 should email operations@thelangschool.org.  The School has invested in air filtration and ventilation systems which we will continue to utilize in every classroom and office. Lang will also continue to provide accessibility to masks and at-home rapid test kits for families that ask for them.  The School will continue the practice of requiring vaccination for all students and employees.  On similar health related measures, earlier in August, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared monkeypox to be a public health emergency after New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) made a similar announcement in July.  These agency declarations allow officials to issue emergency orders and move expediently to confront the outbreak, and to dictate health code changes to stem the spread of the virus. We will closely follow regional, national, and international data and provide an update if the situation materially changes. Please feel free to contact the School at operations@thelangschool.org with any questions. Sincerely, Timon Lorenzo Director for Operations