August 7, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians:
As promised, Governor Cuomo held a conference call earlier today to provide an update on the state’s COVID-19 response. He announced his determination regarding the reopening of elementary and secondary schools statewide. Fortunately, he authorized schools to open for in-person instruction. However, this authority can be rescinded if infection rates spike. At this point in time, the district plan remains “as is” until we receive NYS Education Department and the Department of Health approval.
He reported that his office has received calls from parents and teachers, with questions regarding testing, access to remote learning, and contact tracing if/when a student or teacher is diagnosed.
He spoke of school districts’ submission of plans to SED and DOH, and that schools must address these concerns specifically and maintain communication with students, families, and faculty.
By next week, schools must also separately post:
- Plan for remote learning - Schools must post remote learning plans.
- Plan for testing – How and when will the district test students and staff – this can in partnership with local health departments.
- Contact tracing - Schools must post their plans for how contact tracing will occur. This can also be in partnership with the local health department.
These need not be new plans, just pulled out of the existing plans for ease of location. We will work on refining these areas and posting them separately. Please note, we continue to update the plan. Upon adding any new information, the new date is posted in that section of the plan.
In addition, by August 21, schools must offer at least three public discussions with parents and one for teachers. Next week, I will meet with our administrative team to determine the dates and times of the parent/staff meetings, which will be held virtually. More information to follow…
A recording of the conference call is available online here.
We hope you will be able to attend one of three meetings, which will be posted on the district website and sent home to families. We appreciate the feedback we have received so far and continue to encourage an open dialogue on these important decisions.
Have a nice weekend,
Warm regards,
Jill M. Gierasch
Superintendent of Schools