Online lessons, breakfast and lunch available from area schools
As concerns grew over the spread of the coronavirus and following an announcement from Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon that the first confirmed case had been identified in Onondaga County, schools moved quickly to address the needs of their students and families.
Skaneateles
“This situation is constantly changing and we will continue to communicate with you as much as possible,” Dr. Jeffrey Bryant, interim superintendent said in a letter to the community.
Teachers in all four schools are preparing review and resource materials for their students. Building principals will be in contact with families to explain the process for each school.
The materials will come in the form of paper packets, which will be mailed home, to using the already-in-place electronic platforms students have been using. No new instruction will be added at this time.
Students who receive special education services will be contacted by their teachers. If you have additional questions, please contact the Director of Learning, Jennifer Whipple, at [email protected].
Lunch Program Director Emily Cullen, has put in place a program for students who need breakfast and lunch during our school closure. Please contact her if you need lunch provided for your child at [email protected].
Following approval by the New York State Education Department to move ahead with a program, Cullen and her staff determined the nutritional needs of students through online surveys and phone calls to families, and meals for students were prepared immediately. The school district is offering breakfast and lunch to any students who need it via pickup or delivery
“Our transportation department has graciously partnered with us to deliver meals,” Cullen said. “Parents can either pick up meals or have them delivered. The transportation team has been a tremendous help to us.”
In addition to the lunch staff and transportation departments, members of the community have reached out to aid in any way possible.
“I’ve been in contact with Skaneateles Outreach and we are coordinating efforts to take monetary donations for families in need of assistance,” Cullen said. “Skaneateles Outreach will utilize the money to purchase gift cards from local businesses and restaurants to help support our community partners during this time.”
The Skaneateles food pantry is also providing food for pick-up at the pantry on Tuesdays from 9-9:45 a.m. To ensure adequate resources, the pantry is requesting new families call prior to Tuesday morning. The pantry is also planning to put food together for SCSD staff to distribute to families in the school community.
“I am hoping more families reach out for assistance,” Cullen said. “Together we can ensure our students receive the nutrition they need.”
The State Education Department and Board of Regents are discussing procedures and requirements for testing. Once they have made any decisions, the district will send that information.
All school athletics are cancelled until further notice.
There is no access to use our buildings during this time for any community groups. Construction and contractors at this time, work will continue.
Marcellus
The older students were sent home Monday afternoon with their district-issued Chromebooks, which will be used for remote instruction during the mandatory school closure.
In coming days, school officials will announce times when parents of younger children can pick up their devices. During these pick-ups, parents also will be able retrieve any medications they need from the school nurse’s office and any other additional materials prepared for them by teachers.
The school district plans to operate a backpack-style food program during the closure – providing weekly provisions to any students who need them. The meals will be available for pick-up once a week. For those without transportation, delivery will be provided.
The instructional technology team is creating an online form that parents or students will be able to use to submit technical questions about the devices or software being used at home.
At this time, the Marcellus Board of Education meeting schedule will not change. However, the general public will only be able to tune in via livestream.
In this rapidly developing situation, the district will continue to update the community via the district website with any new information.
Any time-sensitive, critical information will be shared via the district’s School Messenger notification system. If you do not have a current phone number or email address on file with the district, please fill out this Parent Contact Survey as soon as possible.
Jordan-Elbridge
“By now you are no doubt aware that the world around us is changing rapidly as a result of the coronavirus,” Superintendent James Froio wrote. “As governments, businesses, sports, and other social groupings curtail events in effort to contain the virus’ spread and reduce the potential for individuals to be exposed, schools have been working diligently with state and local officials to do their part in keeping students and staff safe. Unfortunately, the time has come to close school.”
AS of now the district will be closed through April 13.
“This decision was not made lightly, and we know the impact and hardship this will present for our families and community; however, the risks of this virus to our school and community necessitates closure at this time,” Froio said.
Teachers will begin lessons via distance learning this week. If you do not have internet service we will see that lessons are delivered to homes.
The district began delivery of breakfast and lunch items on Monday, March 16.
Food will be distributed via our bus routes. When you see the bus, please come out and pick up your food. Meal deliveries will continue, Monday through Friday, for the duration of the school closure.
School buildings and facilities will be closed to all outside groups and individuals during this period of closure; this includes our fitness center. The entire district will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected during this time, and we need to limit individuals in our spaces as we undertake this important work.
Froio said resources like counselors will do their best to respond during this difficult time if students feel they need to talk or require extra support.
“We will continue to communicate and provide updates in the days and weeks ahead,” Froio said. “The Jordan-Elbridge Central School District will remain steadfast in our commitment to support this community, and this global pandemic will not stop that from being the case. Our existence is to serve this community and its children, and we are taking this unprecedented action to keep everyone safe. Thank you for your continued support.”
West Genesee
West Genesee has established a tentative return date for students to be April 14, but this may be subject to change.
During this period, the district will also utilize distance learning and is also working to address the nutritional needs of students.
In a press release goes on to say the district, realizing many students depend on the meals they receive at school, will be working to fill that need during this period when schools are closed.
“As part of our commitment to our community, we have obtained authorization to provide meals to our in need student population while our building(s) are closed due to copvid-19,” the release said. “We have reached out to families to determine the need in our community. We have a significant number of responses at this early stage.”
So far West Genesee said more than 400 students and families have responded.
“At this time, we are reaching out to you to see if you would like to partner with us in helping those that need,” the press release said. “During this unprecedented event, we have witnessed shortages in our community of many staples needed for to maintain basic nutrition and sanitary standards.”
To assist in meeting the need of over an anticipated 1,500 students during this shutdown period, the district will be establishing a food pantry for donated goods to supplement what the district is able to provide.
“We will utilize every resource that we have, but additional donations from our community will help to bolster our ability to serve those in need,” the press release said. “We will be accepted non-perishable food items and basic household needs, such as hand soap, toilet paper, etc.”
Donations will be accepted at the following locations Monday – Friday between the hours of 8 to 3 p.m., West Genesee High School Upper Gymnasium, and at Rockwell Elementary School
“Time and time again, we have seen how supportive our community is in times of need,” the press release said. “If you have the means, and are able to help us support families in need, your contributions would be greatly appreciated.”
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] or 315-487-4563 or Jen Woody at [email protected].
