Dear Community Members,
As we continue in our 10th week of remote learning and approach the Memorial Day weekend, I want to share with you some information regarding our school calendar, the close-out of this school year and preparation underway for September amid uncertainties.
Remote Learning through June 17 and Year-End Activities
At this evening's Board of Education meeting, I anticipate that the Board will approve a revised 2019-2020 academic school calendar and designate June 17, 2020 as the last day of school short of any action by Governor Cuomo to extend the school year by way of Executive Order. We will deliver remote learning instruction until that time - working to meet a variety of student needs. Students continue to adapt and find joy in the special moments that come by way of daily social connections with classmates and the guiding presence of their teachers. Principals will be sending out information shortly about end-of-year events, including the placement process for next year, transitions to middle school and high school and how we will celebrate our current 8th graders and high school seniors.
Superintendent's Town Hall Meetings
I want to remind you of the upcoming Superintendent's Virtual Town Hall Meetings I have planned (first one is tomorrow, Wednesday) and encourage each of you to participate. I will discuss a range of topics, including the state of our schools during the pandemic and the Proposed 2020-2021 School District Budget and conduct a Live Q&A. All sessions will take place on Wednesday evenings, 7-8:30 pm.
May 20 - Elementary Parents (The link to participate is here; a new link will be circulated for each meeting.)
May 27 - Middle School Parents
June 3 - High School Parents
Preparing for the Future that has Yet to Unfold: Planning for Various Scenarios
Amid a host of uncertainties, we are planning now for various scenarios in September to imagine and consider how instruction will be delivered. We are preparing for the likelihood of a carefully planned school reopening with restrictions -- a hybrid model of school and extended remote learning -- and are currently working with regional and national partners to study school re-opening models across the globe, keeping the safety and what's best for our students and staff as top priority. In particular, I have found most valuable the work I have been doing with the Stanford University's K-12 Design Lab, collaborating with cross-school teams and bringing together the brightest and most creative minds in education to work through issues associated with potential scenarios in preparation for Fall.
To this end, I will be forming elementary, middle and high school planning teams in the coming days and would like to invite parents to consider participating. Each team -- made up of administrators, teachers, parents and students -- will meet on three occasions for three hours with a representative from the Stanford Design Lab. If you are interested in being a part of one of the planning teams, please make sure you can commit to being available from 8 am - 11 am on these dates:
May 29, 2020
June 3, 2020
June 10, 2020
We will ask that all interested parents submit an application, which will be posted tomorrow on the District website.
While the uncertainty of the future is daunting, I am confident we will all do what it takes to continue to adapt, change, and prepare to teach students accordingly. As we move forward, we will provide opportunities for input, communicate frequently and work together to help build a shared vision for what school will look like when our students return.
I hope you and your families remain safe and healthy and wish you all a wonderful holiday weekend.
Warm Regards,
Dr. Robert I. Shaps
Superintendent of Schools