Message Sent to the Community August 3, 2020

 
 
Message from the
Spackenkill Union Free School District

August 3, 2020

Dear Spackenkill Community,

The Return to School Committee met today to discuss feedback from the community about the first version of the hybrid plans. The committee wants to assure you that we take this feedback seriously. We are revisiting the plan based on your feedback and the guidance coming this week from Governor Cuomo.

The committee has decided to create an additional hybrid plan that will give our schools flexibility during these uncertain times and offer more in-person instruction. We discussed developing a way to explain all of our plans in greater detail to the community. More information will be forthcoming. Ultimately, the Board of Education will approve the committee’s plans at the August 25th Board meeting. In the meantime, please continue to visit the District’s COVID-19 website for updates. The committee recognizes that families might be in need of childcare and is working on a plan to address it. Be on the lookout for messages from your principal regarding additional information about your family’s needs. It is also our intention to offer both a hybrid and remote option for students and families, so please be sure to reply to your principal’s future requests.  

There are many moving parts involved in creating these plans, and safety is one of the biggest concerns. The current hybrid plan was created out of an abundance of caution. It was always the committee’s intention to incrementally increase in-person time in our buildings, with the long-term goal of a return to full in-person instruction, but not until it is safe to do so.  An additional hybrid plan would give us flexibility to use the model that fits best under the circumstances or can provide a way to incrementally increase in-person instruction. The incremental approach would give us the opportunity to get students back, but allows for time to see if our systems work well. 

Feedback we have received has revealed a dichotomy of thoughts.  Some community members feel we should return in-person as much as possible and others feel we should not return. Our secondary students indicated that they want to return but do not necessarily feel comfortable doing so. The incremental approach seems to be the best approach, however, how quickly we move seems to be up for debate. Having a second set of hybrid plans better prepares us for what the future might bring and would give us options on how to begin the school year. Thank you for your patience as we continue to develop our reopening plans. We will provide another update soon after Governor Cuomo’s announcement.  

Sincerely,

Paul M. Fanuele, Ed.D., on Behalf of the SUFSD Return to School Committee

 

 

15 Croft Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603; 845.463.7800