From the Superintendent:
Update, as of April 1, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.
Dear Elmira City School District Families,
I hope this message finds your family safe and healthy. As you know, Governor Cuomo’s most recent executive order will keep our schools closed until at least April 15, 2020 in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is our belief that while our community is working hard to maintain strict social distancing, it is likely that our schools will remain closed beyond that date.
As a District, it is important for us to plan for this unknown and the complex needs of our community. To best prepare, we most recently asked our families to complete a survey regarding distance learning opportunities. Our staff development team, principals, and administrators have engaged in hours of online meetings to understand your input and prepare for the move into our next phase of instruction. Our planning has focused on a shift from academic review and reinforcement to continuity learning (new learning) in Phase 2. I am confident that we can provide opportunities for our students to stay engaged, learn new material, and keep their skills fresh.
Phase 1 work and directions provided on March 16 are intended to continue through April 10, 2020. Beginning April 13, our Phase 2 of learning will offer three strong learning platforms, providing equity to all learners – online, print, and live sessions with our Elmira educators. Previously established e-learning platforms like Schoology will become a repository for students to access educational materials, lessons, and videos. Beginning April 13, our teachers will begin hosting virtual “office hours” as a way to connect with students. Teachers will work with our families collectively and individually to establish routines and schedules. This will likely look different based on grade level. Examples include K-6 work to be done and submitted on a rolling basis and secondary student work to be done by subject per essential standards. We will continue to leverage district approved home-to-school connection tools such as Remind, DoJo and our student learning platform, Schoology. While participation in Phase 2 of the plan is not optional, we do understand there are varying levels of access to technology across the District. Our educators will work individually with our families to ensure equity of access.
Our teachers continue to prepare diligently to educate all students under this new format. Parents and students will be receiving information from their teachers and building administrators soon by phone, email and postal mail.
I would like to thank our teachers and express our gratitude for their work to help our children. Helping our families through these uncharted waters continues to prove the collective strength and ingenuity of our community.
As the District tagline suggests, our family, school and community will succeed together! We have already overcome numerous challenges and we know there will be more to come. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.
Be Well,
Hillary J. Austin
Superintendent of Schools
Elmira City School District