Living with Question Marks and Caring for Each Other All the While
Dear Community Members,
I want to share my thoughts at this moment. Disruption to daily routine is difficult, and experiencing anxiety around uncertainty from questions that cannot be answered is completely normal. What long-term impact will Coronavirus have on my family? When will this public health crisis end? Will the world look different after this is all over?
When it comes to our children, who can be particularly sensitive to uncertainty, the question marks on the page appear larger and bolder than ever. So what can we say to our children? We can say the following:
- Your teachers (and of course your family) care about you very much, and we are all in this together. Your teachers are doing everything they can to help get us through this time by providing learning opportunities and support online, and we are doing everything we can to continue learning - together. Pacing ourselves, while balancing the amount of screen time with maintaining good nutrition and staying active, is key.
- Focus on what we can control: Kindness. So much about Coronavirus is outside of our control, not just the virus itself, but all other aspects of life that might be impacted. However, there is one thing we can control: how kind we are to others. Let's think of ways we can support each other, stay connected and help spread kindness faster than the virus.
- Obstacles make us stronger. Maybe at the conclusion of this global pandemic, we will have learned new technologies that enhance our lives moving forward. Maybe we will have learned the importance of routine and structure to our days, or found new recipes that all of our family members love. Or maybe we will have learned how to tolerate uncertainty. In the end, I am sure of one thing: These turbulent times will somehow, someway make us all stronger.
Now on to a few logistics:
State Expected to Provide More Answers Shortly Re: Length of School Closure
As per Governor Cuomo's latest directive, our schools are tentatively scheduled to re-open on or around April 1. I expect we will receive an update later this week with more details specific to school closure. Of course a re-open date is contingent upon many factors, including possible decisions by State, local or federal government around school closings and considerations around the potential spread of COVID-19 in our community. We will continue our constant communication with the NY State Department of Education, NY State Department of Health, elected officials and local municipalities to monitor this rapidly changing situation and will continue to keep the community informed.
State Testing Suspended for Remainder of the Year
The NY State Education Department announced that all elementary and intermediate New York State assessments have been suspended for this school year. No information or guidance has been provided about Regents exams as of yet. See full statement issued by the State re: assessments.
Home-Based Learning
As we continue to navigate this extended closure, you may at times wonder who to contact as questions arise. Your child's teacher or principal via email should be your first point of contact. Make sure to check the Home-School Connection page frequently to understand the full breadth of online learning tools and resources available for remote learning in our district. Teachers and administrators continue to collaborate to refine approaches and modalities for communication and daily instruction.
Emotional Support
For emotional support, remember that Mamaroneck School District social workers are available to help. Email: MUFSDSocialWorkers@gmail.com or Text: 914-294-5029. Additionally, the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Community Counseling Center is operating a Coronavirus Coping Skills & Parent Support Line for Mamaroneck School District students and parents. From 12 noon until 2 pm each weekday, LMCCC professional staff members are available to provide emotional support, teach coping skills and advise parents over the phone on how to help children through this stressful time. The number to call is 914/698-7549 + press 5.
For an additional list of community resources, click here.
FAQs Section on Website Provides Updated Info
We will continue to add to our FAQs on the Coronavirus section of the District website in the coming days.
Although we are not physically together, please know that all of our students and staff remain constantly in our thoughts. Caring for ourselves and each other at this time is the most important thing we can do.
Regards,
Dr. Robert I. Shaps
Superintendent of Schools