Edwards-Knox Central School District
Erin E. Woods, Superintendent
To: E-K School Community
From: Erin E. Woods
Date: March 31, 2020
Re: Pandemic School Update
Good afternoon, thank you for your continued patience as we work through such uncertain and unprecedented times. The only thing that has been constant in the last couple of weeks has been change and our Cougar Community Pride!
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve we are receiving updates daily at the state and federal level. We recently received new information that the previously scheduled Spring Break will be eliminated and that online instruction, meal deliveries, and coordination of child care resources will continue for the duration of the school closure, even if the district is scheduled to be on spring break during that time.
On Friday, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.11 which extended school closures until a return on 4/15. Prior to that date, the Governor will reevaluate the situation and either reopen schools or extend the closure.
The executive order stated the following:
“The directive contained in Executive Order 202.4 related to the closure of schools statewide shall hereafter be modified to provide that all schools shall remain closed until April 15, 2020, at which time the continued closure shall be re-evaluated. No school shall be subject to a diminution in school aid due to failure to meet the 180 day in session requirement as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, provided their closure does not extend beyond the term set forth herein. School districts must continue plans for alternative instructional options, distribution and availability of meals, and child care, with an emphasis on serving children of essential workers, and continue to first use any vacation or snow days remaining.”
Furthermore, the Governor has declared that the annual school budget vote and board of education election will be postponed until June 1. Therefore, you will receive the budget notices and newsletters later according to this new timeline. More information regarding the Board of Education election process will be forthcoming.
To minimize social interaction we reduced our meal pickups this week to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The following week, Free Breakfast/Lunch Meal Kits will be picked up curbside from the school on Tuesday, April 7th from 9am-1pm. Randy Collins and our dedicated cafeteria staff, drivers and our countless volunteers have been fantastic caring for our students.
Principals, Mrs. Sykes and Ms. Hughes have been working with our teaching staff on expectations as we transition to a hybrid model of virtual education. At the onset of our school closing, we emphasized retention and reinforcement of skills. As the school closure is extended, continual learning is evolving into accountability for learning, acquisition of new knowledge, and assessment. Please urge your children to establish a school routine and regular connection with their teachers. If you haven’t already filled out the survey on internet access and you do not have reliable internet access, please reach out to us so we can assist you in getting connected.
If you have any other barriers that are interfering with their child’s successful transition to remote learning, we want to know and help you through them. Together we are better!
While NYS is on pause and while we do our part to follow social distancing and sanitary protocols to slow the progression of COVID-19, cherish your time with your family and loved ones. I wish you all good health and please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need anything. Stay well, I miss our students and look forward to their healthy return!
Erin
