Dear Schuylerville families,
Shortly after the spring 2020 remote learning period came to a close and the school year officially ended, our thoughts immediately turned to what the reopening of schools would look like for the 2020-21 school year. For the past month, the district’s transition committee has been working hard to create health and safety plans that adhere to New York State guidelines, but also make the most sense for the delivery of education in Schuylerville schools.
During the transition committee’s meeting this week, it was unanimously decided that the district should make every effort to move forward with a hybrid model of instruction for reopening. Grades K-5 will report every day, in-person, and grades 6-12 will be on an A/B day rotation via an alphabetical split. This will reduce student capacity by 50%. The district submitted our full reopening plans to the New York State Education Department today, which includes details regarding our in-person, hybrid, and remote learning models. Click here to access the plans via the district website.
Please note: the district’s reopening plans remain fluid, as it continues to respond to guidance from the state, changes in regional daily infection rates and feedback from various stakeholder groups.
Parental Choice
Parents will always have the choice to remain in the remote learning model. If a parent decides to opt-out of in-person learning for their child for the start of the 2020-21 school year, the parent must submit their intent via this Google Form by August 14, 2020. Parents will be allowed to opt back into in-person learning on a five-week incremental basis.
By opting out of in-person learning, students are still fully expected to participate in Schuylerville CSD remote learning. Attendance will be taken daily and full grading practices will be in place. Parents also have the option to disenroll their child from the Schuylerville Central School District and educate them from home through the Home Instruction Regulations 100.10.
Opting out of District Transportation
Parents/guardians who are planning to self-transport their children are asked to contact Wendy Sullivan in the Transportation Department by August 14 via email at sullivanw@schuylerville.org or by phone at 518-695-3468.
Virtual Community Information Session
On August 4 at 6:30 p.m. the district will host a virtual community information session regarding the reopening of Schuylerville schools. After fully reading and reviewing the district’s reopening plans and protocols, if district families have questions, they are asked to submit questions via this Google Form. Pre-submitted questions will be answered by district administrators during the August 4 virtual information session. Please submit questions by Tuesday, August 4 at 11:30 a.m. so there is time to review and organize them prior.
Our school district’s physician, Dr. Robert Neilson, served as a liaison to the transition committee, providing feedback and suggestions for our reopening plan. One of the thoughts he shared that I would like to pass on, is that we as a school district and region are at a point of mitigation versus elimination in regard to COVID-19. It is our absolute priority and goal through this entire process to reduce the risk of the virus’ infiltration/spread in our schools. We have spent countless hours thoughtfully crafting and preparing the plans we are releasing today, plans that will remain fluid throughout the coming weeks and as we begin the 2020-21 school year. I can assure you that the district is here to support our students, families, teachers and staff. The health and safety of everyone in this district is number one. I encourage you to take the time to thoroughly read and review the district’s plans and make the decision that is best for your family.
We look forward to answering your questions during the August 4 community forum.
Dr. Ryan Sherman
Superintendent