Frequently Asked Questions

No. If you or your child has a device at home they will still be able to access the same sites and apps as those students with a district issued iPad. The apps are pre-loaded onto district issued devices because the App store is disabled.

Seesaw works great on any computer or device! CLICK HERE for Step-by-Step Directions for downloading the Seesaw app on your personal device.

• iPad and iPhone

• Android Devices

• Chromebooks

• Kindle Fire

• Computers with Chrome or Firefox

A short video will be posted to the Parent Tech Support page to help with logging your child into Seesaw in the coming days.

We use a service called Clever to make logging in to most of the apps students use for school easier. Here's how to sign-in to Clever. Students at PK-2 using iPads can use the Clever app.

If you no longer need the district issued iPad that you signed up for through Family ID, email tech@hcsdk12.org

• AES - (716) 646-3350

• BVS - (716) 646-3240

• CAS - (716) 646-3370

• UPES - (716) 646-3280

• MS - (716) 646-3250

• HS - (716) 646-3300

Slide Deck from Reopening Forums for Parents

No, school start and end times are not changing. Each building is working on arrival and dismissal plans that will space out students entering and leaving the building. These plans will not impact the start and end times.

Each building is working on plans specific to their building. This information will be shared with families prior to the start of school.

Families will be notified directly by their child’s school with plans for orientation.

The district will make every effort to schedule students 100% Online in the same classes they would have had in-person. Students that are 100% online will still be able to sign up for after-school clubs, as they will be taking place virtually.

Building a shared school community with remote and hybrid students is critical. Remote students will still be able to sign up for after-school clubs that take place virtually, with their hybrid counterparts. Throughout the year as building specific events are scheduled, remote students, when appropriate will be invited. In addition, students in the 100% online model, will have opportunities to come together virtually with other students in the online model, to create a shared community of learners online.

Your child’s ID number can be found on their registration information. If you cannot locate the number, call your child’s school and they will be able to assist you.

Please note that the Student ID Number can only be given in person or by mail; it cannot be given over the phone.

Further guidance on Parent Portal can be found on the District website under Parent Portal Information

Please contact Fisher Bus at service@fisherbus.com or (716) 588-7766 regarding specific transportation questions.

Masks for staff will be distributed on the first day of teacher attendance, and masks for students will be distributed on the first day of student attendance for each Cohort. One staff mask is adjustable, one is not. Both student masks are adjustable.

Health checks will be completed at home by both students and staff. Parents and staff only need to complete a health check on the days they learn or work on campus. Additional information on how to submit the health check at home by students will be shared prior to the start of the school year.

Yes. Students will have a scheduled synchronous learning opportunity with their class and the teacher will also have scheduled office hours to support individual and small groups of students.

Online learners and those participating in the hybrid model will receive similar instruction. Teachers teaching online will work closely with those teaching in-person to ensure that the scope and sequence is similar, based on student needs, and covering the same content. The District recognizes the dynamic nature of the learning models and wants to ensure all students are receiving a high quality education regardless of modality.

Students will be able to stay current with instruction through Google Classroom (grades 3-12) or Seesaw (grades PK-2) through our traditional Homebound Instruction model. This has always worked extremely well. Families can reach out to their child’s teacher if there are any questions about work their child may be missing.

Kindergarten screening will occur during the regular school day by the child’s teacher. For kindergarten students that are 100% online, the screening will occur remotely. For all kindergarten students, screening will be completed by October 30th.

Please contact your child’s teacher with any questions or concerns you may have.

All students' first day of attendance will be September 10th. Cohorts B and C will begin in-person on September 10th; Cohort A will begin in-person on September 14th.

It is always best to contact your child’s teacher directly (regardless of the learning model your child is enrolled in) to discuss questions or concerns you may have. If you still have concerns after speaking with the teacher, students enrolled in the Hybrid model can contact the building principal for further conversation.

For families whose students are enrolled in the 100% online model, contact Kaitlin Sylvester at ksylvester@hcsdk12.org or (716) 646-3200 ext. 7208 if you still have concerns after speaking with the teacher.

A child may return to school if they have received a Negative COVID-19 test result, or if it has been 10 days from onset of symptoms. In any event, a note from a healthcare provider stating they are cleared to return is required.

Masks are required to be worn by students while on the playground or if within 6 feet of others. If students are socially distanced at 6 feet or greater, for example, during outdoor instruction, masks may be removed.

We have great teachers in Hamburg, and we are confident that they will use excellent judgment to determine how mask breaks will occur in their classroom.

Students will be instructed by staff to walk to the right and remain 6 feet apart and must wear a mask. Staff will be visible during the passing of class to help students remain physically distanced. Signage will be posted on walls and floors reminding students to remain 6 feet apart.

Please contact your child’s school to discuss concerns you may have.

Yes. Southtowns YMCA will continue to offer before/after school programs at all 4 of our elementary schools. Please contact the YMCA for enrollment information.

Yes, however, a mask must still be worn with the shield.

Families can email tech@hcsdk12.org with technology questions/access issues. The district has also created and continues to update Parent Tech Support and Student Tech Support pages.

Students will have scheduled times to meet synchronously with their class and teacher on Wednesdays, but it is difficult to say that the schedule will be exactly the same for each Wednesday. There will also be opportunities for students to meet 1 on 1 or in small groups during teachers office hours. Teachers will provide a week at a glance each Wednesday so families can plan for the week ahead.

Case managers and services providers will work to develop a schedule to meet the needs of each student. This may include a combination of in-person and telepractice sessions, depending on each child’s unique needs. If you have specific questions about your child’s services, reach out to their case manager.

No. The cohort at home will have a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities.

Details to the structure of this model are still being worked out. Once a model is solidified, information will be shared with families.

The form can be accessed HERE

On average 50% of the students in class will be in person on a given day. For example, a 5th grade class with 28 students will have 14 students in-person on cohort A days and 14 students in-person on cohort B days.

The district has developed a Cleaning Standards Handbook for COVID-19 that can be found within the plan but also accessed HERE.

Yes. We are required to take attendance daily for students both in-person and off-campus. We will work with families to accommodate their unique circumstances.

No. All students will have a certified teacher providing the online instruction.

No. There will be expectations for students and teachers for remote learning. There will synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities scheduled, attendance will be taken daily, and grading will occur.

The district will make every effort to schedule students 100% Online in the same classes they would have had in-person.

Elementary and Middle School students will eat lunch in classrooms. High School students will eat in the cafeteria and other designated large spaces to allow for proper social distancing.

Lunches will be delivered to Elementary School classrooms. Secondary students will be "grab and go" or pre-boxed lunches. For additional information, see Reopening Matrix: Child Nutrition in the Reopening Guide.

The District is aware of the concern of increased vehicular traffic and is reviewing the impact on a building basis.

State guidelines prohibit hand sanitizer from being transported on school buses. Students are allowed to use their own hand sanitizer while in the school building.

The school district will provide students and staff with 2 washable masks. Students/staff may wear the masks provided or bring one from home. For additional information, see Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Cloth Face Coverings in the Reopening Guide.

Only sinks in restrooms that permit for social distancing will be functional. Toilets will remain divided by partitions already in place. To the extent possible, teachers will schedule restroom breaks. Signage will be placed reminding students to remain physically distanced. Staff will reinforce this new expectation. For additional information, see Social Distancing in the Reopening Guide.

All students will be required to wear a mask while in school. Mask breaks will be scheduled during instructional time.

Desks will not have shields or dividers around them. Students and staff will remain physically distanced and wear a mask while on campus. Mask breaks will be scheduled.

Teachers may wear shields while instructing but must wear them in conjunction with a mask.

Cohorts A and B will be designed so families with children in multiple schools are in school on the same days.

• Families with multiple last names will default to the oldest student in the household’s last name.

• Adjustments to student assigned groups may be made as necessary for classroom size, bus capacity, or other reasons to achieve the desired goal of fewer students in school buildings.

The number of students per room is dependent on the square footage of each space, however spaces can only accommodate a maximum number of students while remaining distanced of at least 6 feet.

Cohort information will be shared during the week of August 17th

Please contact Colleen Kaney in Pupil Services at ckaney@hcsdk12.org for assistance with this type of request.

Each building is in the process of developing plans to address procedures for arrival & dismissal to include social distancing requirements.

Yes, students must remain physically distanced during lunch. For additional information, see Social Distancing in the Reopening Guide.

Ventilation systems will be set to have the maximum amount of fresh air forced into the building as possible. Filters will be changed at the frequency recommended by the manufacturer. Staff will be encouraged to open windows, weather and safety permitting.

The bus will be loaded from back to front, households will sit together, students will be assigned seats. For more information, see Reopening Matrix: Transportation in Reopening Guide.

Please contact Fisher Bus at service@fisherbus.com regarding specific transportation questions. For additional information, see Reopening Matrix: Transportation in the Reopening Guide.

All students in grades 3-12 will have a Chromebook for them to use in school and at home.

Students in grades PreK-2 will have the opportunity to request an iPad to use in a hybrid or off-campus learning model. The process for requesting an iPad will be shared closer to the start of the school year.

For additional information, see Technology and Connectivity in the Reopening Guide.

Yes. Families have until August 12th to opt into 100% online learning using this form. Please note that this process will be reviewed mid-year. Additional guidance regarding 100% online learning will be shared with families closer to the start of the school year. For additional information, see Instructional Scenarios in the Reopening Guide

When a parent chooses to homeschool their child they are responsible for the teaching and learning of their child based on the NYS Homeschooling Regulations. When families choose to homeschool their child, a packet is sent to complete which provides useful information in the homeschooling process.

In a hybrid mode, students with special needs placed in a 12:1:1 or 8:1:1 and English Language Learners will attend school Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. All students with an IEP will receive programs and services through a combination of in-person learning, teletherapy, and synchronous and asynchronous learning in the hybrid learning model. For additional information, see Special Education in the Reopening Guide

The District will provide a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning for students in this model. A certified teacher will be assigned to provide this instruction. Additional information will be shared with families opting into 100% Online Learning, closer to the start of the school year.

In the hybrid model, services will provided in person and via teletherapy to the extent practicable. Parents will meet with their child's case manager and service providers in September to discuss services and IEP implementation - each student's plan will be individualized. For additional information, see Reopening Matrix: Special Education in the Reopening Guide.

Case Managers will be checking in regularly with students with special needs. Case Managers will gather the necessary data throughout the semester to be able to accurately assess and support the students’ IEP Goals. For additional information, see Reopening Matrix: Special Education in the Reopening Guide.

Each building is working to determine the best plan of action to accommodate physical education, while maintaining proper social distancing of 12 feet. More information regarding what this will look like will be available prior to the start of the school year.

Our Pre-K program will run on the same hybrid learning model as K-12 in both the AM and PM. Rooms will be sanitized in between groups in the morning and afternoon, as well as on Wednesdays and Fridays, in between cohorts.

All teachers will be required to create and maintain a Seesaw (PK-2) or Google Classroom (3rd-12th) for each of their classes. Students will still be able to access and participate in the learning while at home, through their classrooms learning platform (Seesaw or Google Classroom). Students in this circumstance will follow the traditional homebound instruction model.

Yes. In a hybrid model, students will continue their in-person learning on the days that they are off-campus. These experiences might include, but are not limited to: completing online modules or tasks; viewing instructional videos; responding to posts or instructor questions; engaging with other class participants in an online or phone discussion; conducting research; doing projects; or meeting with a teacher face-to-face, via the online platform or by phone. For additional information, see Reopening Matrix: Teaching and Learning in the Reopening Guide.

The district will work with area BOCES to ensure that students continue to have access to Career and Technical Education programs, whether through in-person, off-campus, or hybrid models. Erie 1 and Erie 2 BOCES Reopening Plans can be found using the following links:

• Erie 1 BOCES Reopening Plan 2020-2021

• Erie 2 BOCES Reopening Plan 2020-2021

For additional information, see Career and Technical Education in the Reopening Guide.

Yes. Agencies that we contract with to provide services to our students are considered essential and will be allowed in the buildings. These individuals will be required to complete a wellness questionnaire which includes monitoring of their temperature. For additional information, see Reopening Matrix: Facilities in the Reopening Guide.

Yes. All teachers are encouraged to consider how they might extend the learning space to outside, when appropriate. For additional information, see Social Distancing in the Reopening Guide.

No. Until further notice, buildings will be closed in the evening to allow for proper cleaning and sanitizing of our buildings and facilities. For additional information, see Social Distancing in the Reopening Guide.

Each building is working to determine the best plan of action to accommodate band, chorus, and orchestra, while maintaining proper social distancing of 12 feet. More information regarding what this will look like will be available prior to the start of the school year.

We will provide special education programs and services in a manner which ensures the provision of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for all students with a disability regardless of the mode of instructional delivery (i.e. in-person, hybrid, or remote). IEP implementation during in-person, remote or hybrid instruction will be delivered in a manner consistent with current NYSED Office of Special Education (OSE) guidance. Programs and related services will be delivered to the greatest extent possible in a manner that ensures the health and safety of students with disabilities and staff delivering services.

Each building is working to determine the best plan of action to accommodate physical education, while maintaining proper social distancing of 12 feet. More information regarding what this will look like will be available prior to the start of the school year.

Special area teachers in the elementary schools will be traveling to students classrooms. Teachers are encouraged to expand the learning space by taking students outside, when appropriate.

Social Emotional Learning has long been an area of focus for the Hamburg Schools, and we will continue to emphasize this for students and staff during this difficult time. We understand that time will need to be spent connecting with students and adjusting to being back at school. We made a change to the District calendar to include 4 days for professional learning days for staff at the beginning of school. This will allow time to remind staff of what to look for and how to respond. We will build off of the training all staff has had in Youth Mental Health First Aid. For additional information, see Social Emotional Learning the Reopening Guide.

Yes. The Reopening Guide, Superintendent's communications, and Emotional Support Resources can be found on the district website by going to: hamburgschools.org > About Us > HCSD Reopening Guide

The District Code of Conduct Committee will be convening to review and revise the current code of conduct and add any additional guidance specific to COVID-19 protocols.

Three virtual parent forums are in the process of being scheduled. Additional information regarding accessing these forums will be forthcoming.

• August 19th @ 9am

• August 19th @ 6pm

• August 20th @ 12pm

The stakeholder committee and all three working groups had parent representatives included to share concerns they are hearing from families in the community. As this process continues, reach out the appropriate representative for your concern and/or contact your child’s building. In addition, we encourage families to participate in any of the parent forums scheduled the week of August 17th. For additional information, see Community and Family Engagement in the Reopening Guide.