New York State schools closed at least until April 15

By Connor Linskey
Posted 4/1/20

On Friday, March 27, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that all schools in New York State will remain closed until April 15. Cuomo noted that the measure was done because reported cases of COVID-19 …

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New York State schools closed at least until April 15

Posted

On Friday, March 27, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that all schools in New York State will remain closed until April 15. Cuomo noted that the measure was done because reported cases of COVID-19 continue to rise.
In response to the extended closure, the Pine Bush Central School District has shifted from enrichment learning activities to online instruction beginning on April 6.

Starting April 6, elementary school teachers will be posting daily assignments and morning messages to students via their own Google Classroom by 9 a.m. Monday-Thursday. This is a shift from the current grade level Google Classrooms that list multiple learning activities. No new assignments will be posted on Fridays, providing students time to catch up on academic work or enjoy some family time.

In this new model, general education and special class teachers will have their own Google Classrooms and support services. Unified Arts teachers will also post activities for music, art and physical education there. Superintendent of Schools Tim Mains stressed the importance of elementary school students preparing for mandatory instruction.

“Students must begin NOW to develop the habit of logging into Google Classroom on a daily basis,” he said. “Start with the grade level Google Classrooms now and transition to teacher-specific Google Classrooms on April 6.”

Elementary and secondary school teachers will be posting office hours/contact times in three hour blocks on their Google Classrooms so that students are aware when they may be asked to participate in virtual lessons via Google Meet or have direct access to teachers for support on their assignments. Administrators, school psychologists and social workers may also be reaching out to students and/or parents between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.

Starting April 6, elementary school teachers will begin scoring assignments and maintaining grades for the Third Trimester.

Secondary school students will have from now through April 3 to complete assignments that have been posted for them. Teachers have been asked to stop adding assignments at this time. Although these assignments will not be graded, students are encouraged to do their best on them as teachers may use them to enhance grades for the third quarter based on the quality of work completion. Teachers will begin grading assignments and listing them on the parent portal starting April 6.

As online learning becomes more important, the District is allowing families to pick up an additional Chromebook. Those in need can email chromebook@pinebushschools.org and will be given an appointment to pick it up.

Pine Bush will continue to provide meals for children 18 and younger at Pine Bush High School, Circleville Middle School and Family Church in Middletown from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Two days of meals will be provided per child on Tuesday and three days of meals will be given on Thursday.

Child care is available for essential health care workers and first responders through the District’s partnership with the YMCA in Middletown. For more information about child care email jrumsey@middletownymca.org.
Superintendent of Schools Tim Mains noted that the District must carry on as best they can through this pandemic.

“We are very sensitive to the notion that COVID-19 has dramatically impacted the lives of our students, families and staff. We are trying to be respectful of the stress and anxiety that everyone is dealing with while trying to balance our responsibility to educate students during this tumultuous time,” he said. “The home-school connection has never been more important to the success of our students and we are going to need to rely on all of you now, more than ever. We share the common goal of teaching the children and providing the guidance and support they need to move forward this school year with new content, concepts and curriculum.”

At the Valley Central School District, teachers are connecting with their students via Google Classroom and other platforms. This work is done for enrichment purposes and assignments have not been given a grade. Teachers will not be posting new learning activities from April 6-14 because of spring break. Students should use this time to complete as much work as possible if they have not done so by April 6.

“Although this material will not be graded, students will benefit from completing these activities,” said Marianne Serratore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. “We are currently working on a new instructional plan which will begin on April 15, should the closure be extended. More information will be provided as soon as possible.”

The District will continue to provide breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday at five locations. This service will continue over spring break. The locations are: 9:45-10:15 a.m. at Sleepy Hollow Trailer Park in Coldenham, 10:30 a.m.-12 noon at Valley Central Middle School, Walden Elementary School, East Coldenham Elementary School and the Alternative Learning Center at Maybrook. The Backpack Snack Attack program will also continue each week. Those interested in volunteering for either of these programs should email Deputy Superintendent Michael Bellarosa at michael.bellarosa@vcsdny.org.

The District is also in the process of coordinating child care for medical personnel, health care providers and all essential workers who are needed to report to work during this time. They hope to begin this program this week. Those who are essential workers and are in need of childcare can complete a survey available on the Valley Central School District website.

Superintendent of the Wallkill Central School District Kevin Castle announced Friday that the District’s X/Y day schedule will now be extended through April 15. On the teacher’s designated day (X or Y), they will provide two days of learning activities for their students that incorporate skills previously taught.

Over the next two weeks the District will assess its learning plan on a daily basis so that they can address any gaps with a goal of transitioning to new learning on or about April 13. They are still exploring how they will calculate third and fourth marking period averages as well as final averages. Castle noted that further guidance from the state will help them to decide how they will grade students.

“Replacing classroom instruction with home instruction will have its challenges,” Castle said. “However, we are professionals and we will do our best to provide the best learning experience for our students.”

Free meal service began on March 30, for all children 18 years and younger whose families chose to receive them. Breakfast and lunch will continue to be offered daily, Monday through Friday.

The District asks that those interested in receiving free meals should complete the Food Order Form available on their website or call 845-895-7192, the day prior to service beginning. Calls received between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. will be processed for next day meal service. Any calls received after 1 p.m. may not receive a meal service the following day but will be contacted with a start date for receiving meal service.

Families can choose to pick up the breakfast and lunch meals at the high school cafeteria or at Plattekill Elementary School. There will be a designated location at each building, clearly marked. Meal pick up times will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. For those unable to pick up their meal, can have their meals delivered to them Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. A member of the household will need to be available to pick up the meal from the bus at the end of the driveway if they choose the delivery method.

Like Pine Bush, Wallkill is offering child care assistance for those who provide essential services. They encourage those in need to complete the child care survey available on the District website. Those in the District with child care needs for children ages 0-5 can contact Family of Woodstock, Inc. at 845-331-7080. Parents and guardians with child care needs for children ages 5-12 can contact YMCA of Ulster County at 845-338-3810 ext. 110 or 122.