08/04/2020
Good Morning Beekmantown Families,
I hope everyone is enjoying their summers Here on campus we have been working diligently in creating a plan for the reopening of school in September.
I want to provide you a timeline of events to help you better understand the work that has been administered thus far this summer. The NYS Reopening Guidelines were provided to school districts on Thursday, July 16th. The school/district reopening Assurances arrived Friday, July 17th. A district-wide Reopening Plan was due to the State on Friday, July 31st (Entails the Assurances).
We have met as a district Safety Committee (teachers, administration, parents, BOE members) for several weeks and broke-up into several sub-committees to prepare for safety measures aligning to the NYS Reopening Guidelines. We also formulated a district-wide Reopening Committee (teachers, union members, parents, administration, B&G, Food Services, Technology, students) that has met on several occasions to discuss details surrounding reopening of schools. The district-wide plan was adopted by the BOE on Tuesday, July 28th and submitted to the state for review on Friday, July 31st.
Please click on the link below for our district's 56 page reopening plan document sent to NYS that provides in-depth details around the reopening of schools to help you better understand the safety guidelines we will follow. The document discusses how we as a district will ensure the following:
Health and Safety, Facilities, Child Nutrition, Transportation, Social Emotional Well-Being, Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism, Technology and Connectivity, Teaching and Learning, Special Education, Bilingual Education, Teacher & Principal Evaluation Systems and Certification, Incidental & Substitute Teaching.
https://www.bcsdk12.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1816803&type=d&pREC_ID=1978509
In particular the high school's implementation of educational services within the in-person 5 day schedule will involve students following their daily schedules transitioning using social distancing and where social distancing cannot be maintained wearing masks at all times. Limiting the number of students per classroom to ensure social distancing by utilizing the Kentucky Space Calculator on classroom capacity approved by NYS. Transitions will be regulated/staggered to reduce traffic in the hallways. Students wear masks at all times and follow social distancing any time in the hallways.
We will also offer a Beekmantown Virtual School of Learning and Development (4.5 +.5). This virtual (remote) learning option which includes 4.5 days of virtual learning and a half day of in person learning and socialization. Teachers will utilize specific tools and the Google platform consisting of both:
Synchronous learning is defined as two-way, real-time, live, instruction between teachers and students, through the Chromebooks and PC’s.
Asynchronous learning is a curricular experience where students engage in the learning materials on their own time, interacting intermittently with the teacher via the computer or other electronic devices.
Students will also have the option of weekly visits to meet and discuss education with teachers and classmates. This in person edu-social option is available for parents and students wanting minimal face-to-face contact with peers and educators. This will look very different than the digital instruction provided last spring.
Parents: please check your email daily for important communication from the district regarding reopening, instructional options and submitting questions to the district. Additionally an important announcement regarding making the choice for '20-'21 educational options has been sent to your emails. If you did not get the email you may also visit the Beekmantown CSD page for more information.
Our overall goal is to ensure that we meet or exceed the safety guidelines set-forth by the NYSED, DOH and the CDC, while providing engaging, standards-based instruction that prepare our students for a success future. If you have any questions, please reach out to me.
Have a wonderful Tuesday!
