Dear Parents and Guardians,
As shared with you earlier this week, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran has mandated the closure of all public and private schools in the county from Monday, March 16 - Friday, March 27. Shortly thereafter, Governor Andrew Cuomo made an executive order to close all school in New York State through April 1, 2020.
Schools are now scheduled to reopen on Thursday, April 2, 2020.
We know that you likely have many questions in light of this extended closure. It is our hope that this letter will assist you in planning for the weeks ahead. Please know that this closure means that all District events, athletic contests, and recreation and adult education activities are also canceled. Transportation will not be provided to non-public schools.
The District is prepared to provide continuity of instruction for all students in grades K-12. Teachers will begin communicating with you and their students this week. Students may have already started to receive notifications as teachers are preparing their Google Classrooms, however continuity of learning will begin again officially on Friday, March 20. Instruction will vary depending on grade level, department, and course.
As we move forward, please note the following:
- Grades K-12: Teachers will communicate with parents via email, or telephone. Google Classroom will be the platform used exclusively with students.
- Students will use the Google Classroom to receive and share instructional materials, assignments, and work.
- Teachers will identify “Office Hours” for which they will be available to provide online support for students only using Google Meet. The office hours that are posted in your child’s Google Classroom will show all District Teachers for that grade/course. Any teacher who has posted office hours in the Google Classroom is available to those students. Please note that your child(ren) do not have to necessarily virtually meet with their assigned classroom teacher and can meet with any another teacher listed in that Google Classroom for support and/or instruction.
- If students are experiencing any difficulty with participating in Google Classroom they should contact their teacher immediately.
- Parents can communicate with teachers via email and voicemail with any questions or concerns, as you normally do.
- Elementary parents will be receiving information about student’s usernames and passwords for a variety of instructional online tools and sites, including your child’s Google Classroom account no later than Friday, March 20, 2020.
- The release of elementary report cards has been postponed for two (2) weeks and will be available the week of April 6, 2020.
Tonight you will receive a message via School Messenger from your Principal establishing a schedule for families to pick up essential instructional materials that may have been left in the district and medications that are being stored in the nurse’s office.
If your child does not have access to the Internet at home, Altice is offering a free 60-day Wifi account. During this unprecedented time for households with K-12 students who do not currently have home internet service, you may call 866-200-9522 to enroll or click HERE.
The District has been providing lunch to students on the Free and Reduced Lunch Program each day during the school closure. Starting Monday, March 23, 2020, we will provide meals to families twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Meals will be distributed at Plainedge High School between the hours of 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Please continue to enter the parking lot via main entrance of the High School, where you will be directed by security.
Please visit the special “Coronavirus” section of our website for the latest information on the District’s status. There is also a link to an article from the National Association of School Psychologists on speaking to children about the virus and its global implications. The website can be accessed by clicking HERE.
I wish you and your families well during this rapidly evolving situation. We know that this closure may be challenging for many of our families. Please know that we stand ready to assist you in any way possible. We will continue to update you as necessary.
Thank you in advance for your understanding as we navigate these uncertain times as a community.
Sincerely,
Edward A. Salina, Jr., Ed.D.,
Superintendent