This past Friday, Governor Cuomo ordered that all schools remain closed until April 15th. Based on our original closure decision, the Governor’s announcement does not impact our current plans that are already underway regarding our Continuity of Learning planning and procedures. The members of the Administrative Cabinet have been working through some challenging hurdles since being directed to close, and we continue to plan for the next phase of our learning plan. The purpose of our Continuity of Learning Plan is to extend a sense of care to our students and families, using technology and online tools to support learning at this time. We are not replicating the school day, but are building a sense of community and providing an educational bridge that will carry us through until we can resume our regular school days.
The Administrative Cabinet’s initial response, Phase I, focused on a Review and Resources plan. Since March 16th, the Cabinet members and their respective faculties have been working on developing plans that involve the application of technology. This has been a challenge for everyone since all preparation was done remotely. Some of the preparation required professional development and training with Google Classroom and Haiku, all being completed on-line, and some required updating their computers and securing a WiFi connection.
The district will continue to support those families needing a Chromebook and/or a WiFi connection. Families needing either of those items should contact their child’s building principal or Karen Dunphy at [email protected]. We are making every attempt to provide technology access and student instruction for every student. Building principals, teachers, ELL staff, and special education teachers have been in communication with their respective families and will continue to do so. If a parent has any questions or concerns regarding any aspect of the instruction, or is experiencing difficulty with the technology, please notify your child’s building principal, or contact computer support at [email protected].
As this closure continues, at least until April 15th, Phase II of our Continuity of Learning Plan will begin in some schools this week, so that Phase II is fully implemented in each school by April 14th. Each of the building principals has outlined their Continuity of Learning Plan, and it will be posted on their school’s page on our district website at www.skanschools.com. In addition to our education plans, we are continuing to provide meals for anyone in our community in need. Please contact our School Lunch Director, Emily Cullen, if you would like to receive meals. She can be reached at [email protected] or at 315-291-2248.
If you have additional questions, please contact your child’s principal, as they are the instructional leaders for each school. Each principal has, or will soon, reach out to you regarding specific plans for
Dr. Jeffrey Bryant Interim Superintendent of Schools (315) 291-2221
Christine DeMass Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations (315) 291-2268 Fax (315) 685-0347
Skaneateles Central School District Nationally Recognized for Excellence 45 East Elizabeth Street Skaneateles, New York 13152
their school. Our Administrative Cabinet will continue to monitor the current situation surrounding this closure and its impact on our district. We will continue to communicate with our families and the community on a regular basis. However, should there be any new critical information, we will share that as soon as possible. The Governor will reassess the conditions in the state again and will make any follow-up determination regarding school openings. If there are no further extensions, school would resume on Wednesday, April 15th.
On behalf of our Board of Education, our Administrative Cabinet, teachers, and a host of others who continue to work to support our students and community, I want to thank all of you for your support during this extraordinary moment in time. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. It is through thoughtful discussion and collaboration that will get through this difficult time in the most effective and compassionate way. I wish everyone good health, and the very best in this challenging time.
Respectfully, Dr. Jeffrey Bryant, Interim Superintendent of Schools
