By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
On Wednesday, Sept. 9, Cazenovia Central School District (CCSD) welcomed back students grades K-12 for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year.
The first week of school was marked by a series of half days of in-person instruction. Wednesday was a half-day for students with last names A-L. Thursday was a half-day for students with last names M-Z, and Friday was a half-day for all K-12 students. Remote instruction also began on Sept. 9 for students doing remote learning only, as well as for students who are doing in-person learning, but were home on the half days.
On Sept. 11, Burton Street Elementary School Principal Kara May reported that her faculty and students were off to a great start.
“The students have been great about wearing masks, social distancing and learning new routines and procedures,” she said. “Teachers have been very impressed with their flexibility. The students are so very excited to be back at school, despite the new changes. Walking through the school is a breath of fresh air, as the classes are welcoming and inviting . . . [and the] chairs are full of eager students. Students are really enjoying their outside learning time too.”
According to May, the elementary school teachers have worked tirelessly and creatively to prepare their socially distanced classrooms and to prioritize curriculum.
“A large focus this year will be on creating classroom community, learning new routines and social emotional learning,” she said.
Every school day at Burton Street begins with a 40-minute block of classroom meeting time and social emotional learning time. The school has termed the block “Hang Ten Time.”
“[I would] like to extend an enormous thank you to the faculty and staff at Burton Street for going above and beyond, thinking creatively and demonstrating grace and patience as we embark on this new school year,” May said. “Further, [I] would like to extend sincere appreciation to the families, parents and guardians for being patient and understanding as the school has planned and prepared for reopening and the changing procedures.”
The next CCSD Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
For more information on CCSD, visit cazenoviacsd.com.
