FAQ

What if most families choose the hybrid option? Would there have to be changes to accommodate social distancing or will there be a limit of how many students can select the hybrid option?

• • We will be able to provide instruction to all students in whichever format their families choose. We will also comply with all mandates regarding social distancing as well as health and hygiene protocols.

How will you address social emotional or mental health concerns?

• Counselors are available to support students academically, socially, and emotionally and can provide mental health support or resources for families who may be struggling emotionally. To ensure staff is equipped to address social and mental health concerns, Guidance and Counseling will continue to host training opportunities including trauma informed care, mental health first aid, and social emotional learning.

Why isn’t SANY offering a traditional five days in-person model?

• • SANY isn't offering a traditional five days in-person model due to the health, safety, and transportation concerns.

Will SANY require daily screenings of students, staff and visitors?

• • Each student, staff, and visitor will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival on campus by a trained staff member.

  • Each student will have their temperature taken daily and will take periodic surveys

  • Staff will be screened daily including a survey and temperature check prior to arrival and staff will be daily temperature taken upon arrival

What local medical experts are we using as advisors?

• Our School Health Offices works closely with the New York State Health Department regarding COVID-19 within our community. SANY also is following public health guidance provided by the New York State Health Department. The most recent NYS Department of Health guidance can be found here.

Are our reopening guidelines dictated from NYSED and the Governor? Does the district have a COVID-19 tolerance/data number that will cause a change in direction?

• SANY is complying with the public health guidance provided by NYSED. When orders are issued within New York State, we also comply with those regulations. Those regulations are subject to frequent change, so our team closely monitors all updates. Any change in direction would be the result of updated state or local orders.

What procedures should a student or staff member follow if they test positive?

• Any individuals who themselves either:

1. are lab-confirmed to have COVID-19

You need to inform the school’s Operation Manager or Dean as soon as possible. The student or staff member should stay home until it has been at least ten days since the beginning of their symptoms, they have been at least three days/ 72 hours fever free WITHOUT THE USE OF FEVER REDUCING MEDICATIONS and it has been at least three days since the individual’s symptoms have improved including cough and shortness of breath. In accordance with this, the local health department and your healthcare provider will also give guidance as to your return to school. All students and staff must provide a note from their healthcare provider clearing them for a safe return.

2. experience the symptoms of COVID-19 must stay at home throughout the infection period.

Those who experience the symptoms of COVID-19 may not return to school or work until cleared by a medical professional. A note must be provided to the school health office prior to the students and staff return.

If an individual has symptoms that could be COVID-19 but is not evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, they are assumed to have COVID-19 and may not return to school or work until they meet the following three criterias:

• at least three days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications) and the individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and

• at least ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

• Written documentation from a healthcare provider is received that confirms evaluation and release from isolation.

When will we have a school supply list? Will the students participating in distance learning have a different list?

• Each building makes their own school supply list, which will be the same for both hybrid and distance learners. Families will need to purchase typical school supplies whether their students are attending in-person or remotely. 2020-2021 school supply lists will be posted on each website.

Will meals be provided for students who select distance learning?

• Students participating in distance learning will have the opportunity to pick up the meal from school. Further details will be announced.

Are immunizations required for distance learning?

• Yes, at this time the New York State has not waived the vaccine requirements.

How will Chromebooks be distributed?

• If you need a Chromebook, please complete the form here.

Can students who participate in full-time distance learning get hotspots if they don’t have internet at home?

• If you don't have and can't afford internet at home, please complete the form here.

Who will be my student’s distance learning teacher and will that teacher be from our home campus?

• Distance learning classes will be taught by SANY teachers. Your student’s teacher may or may not be from your student’s home campus. In turn, students in your child’s distance learning class may or may not be limited to students from your child’s home campus

Will a student’s choice to participate in hybrid or distance learning be noted on their transcript?

• SANY is waiting on specific guidance from governing entities regarding transcripts. Unless we receive different guidance, there will be no difference noted on the student’s transcript.

Will the distance learning curriculum mirror the hybrid curriculum?

• Both online education and hybrid learning will be designed for mastery of student learning outcomes based on the NYSED Learning Standards for each content area. Expectations for coursework and guidelines for grading for distance and hybrid learning will be the same.

Will my child have remote access to their campus nurse during the school day?

• Yes. Parents and students may contact the school nurse by phone or email during school hours. However, school nurses will not make visits to a student’s home and, depending on the circumstances, may have to defer answers to the family’s pediatrician or primary care physician.

Will students participating in distance learning need to purchase school supplies for the new school year?

• Yes. Families will need to purchase typical school supplies for both hybrid or distance learning options. 2020-2021 school supply lists will be posted on each website.

How will you ensure my student will receive the same kind of support at home as they will when they are in class at school?

• Students attending school remotely via synchronous instruction will have the same level of engagement with their classroom teacher as students who are in-person. Younger students who will attend instruction asynchronously will get scheduled support from instructors and will have a daily engagement requirement to ensure that they stay on track. All students who receive special services including ENL, 504 and special education will receive all supports as outlined in their plans.

How will the NYS examinations be administered during the 2020-2021 school year?

• NYSED will let us know how state examinations will be administered in 2020-21 school year. We do not have that information at this time. As updates are received, we will communicate with families.

Will buses run?

• Yes, transportation will be provided for all who qualify the school district where you live.

Will social distancing be observed on buses, and how will seating arrangements be determined?

• The Transportation department in each school district will be responsible for implementing social distancing and seating arrangements.

• Students are required to wear face coverings and are strongly encouraged to use hand sanitizer prior to boarding the school bus.

• Students are required to remain seated at all times and keep their hands and arms to themselves. Students should not touch each other or share any items.

How will schools monitor bathrooms, cafeterias, gyms, and other commons areas?

• All areas of the campus will be monitored frequently to ensure there is no student crowding. Classrooms will be assigned specific bathroom, breakfast, lunch and gym access times to limit the number of students in any given area. Signage reminding students and staff about handwashing, social distancing, and infection prevention will be posted throughout the school and in areas mentioned above.

What precautions will be in place for athletics, fine arts and other extracurricular activities?

• All athletics, fine arts, and other extracurricular activities have been cancelled until September 21, 2020. The district will continue to follow all guidelines provided by NYSED.

How will Chromebooks be distributed?

• If you need a Chromebook, please complete the form here.

Can students who participate in hybrid learning get hotspots if they don’t have internet at home?

• If you don't have and can't afford internet at home, please complete the form here.

Will students have recess or the ability to play and socialize with other students?

• We are awaiting guidance from the New York State Education Department on recess activities.

What happens if a student or a teacher tests positive for COVID-19? Will the entire classroom have to quarantine and enroll in virtual school? What if multiple classrooms and students/staff are impacted?

• We will contact the local health department and wait for their guidance.

Are there restrictions on the type of face masks that students can wear?

• Student face masks should comply with the same Code of Conduct standards as student dress.

How many students will be in my child’s class?

• Parents can expect class sizes to be smaller than typical years due to students participating in distance learning. An approximate number or range of students in each class is difficult to predict until SANY receives commitment forms from families. Once this preliminary data is available, the district can begin planning master schedules and determining class sizes.

Will cafeterias be open and will school meals be served?

• Meal service may include a combination of meal service in the cafeteria with classroom service, as well. Computerized kiosk systems may be used to provide more opportunity for social distancing and serving grab-n-go meals.

Will meals be provided for students who select hybrid learning?

• Students participating in hybrid learning will have the opportunity to pick up the meal from school. Further details will be announced.

What happens if a student arrives at school ill or becomes ill?

• We will have an isolation area where students will be kept until a parent arrives to pick them up. Students who are to be sent home ill must be picked up immediately of being notified their child is ill. Students will need a doctor’s note in order to return to school if they are sent home with symptoms on COVID-19.

What happens if a student or teacher is confirmed with COVID-19? Will the entire school close until further notice?

• SANY will collaborate with their local health department to determine the parameters, conditions or metrics (e.g., increased absenteeism or increased illness in school community) that will serve as early warning signs that positive COVID-19 cases may be increasing beyond an acceptable level.

• SANY will consider closing school if absentee rates impact the ability of the school to operate safely. Schools may choose to modify operations prior to closing to help mitigate a rise in cases.

How will social distancing be maintained on campuses?

• Social distancing protocols will be implemented in classrooms, during transitions, and in common areas, and will include the following:

  1. 1. Facial coverings

     2. Six-feet social distancing, when possible

     3. Plexiglass shields in high-traffic areas such as front offices

     4. One-way hallways and stairwells, when possible

     5. Minimizing movement within the school

• All areas of the campus will be monitored frequently to ensure there is no student crowding. Classrooms will be assigned specific bathroom, breakfast, lunch and gym access times to limit the number of students in any given area. Signage reminding students and staff about handwashing, social distancing, and infection prevention will be posted throughout the school and in the areas mentioned above.

What happens if a student on campus is suspected of having COVID-19?

• Schools must immediately separate any student who shows COVID-19 symptoms while at school until the student can be picked up by a parent or guardian.

• Each campus will have a designated isolation area for students presenting COVID-19 symptoms while on campus.

• Schools should clean the areas used by the individual who shows COVID-19 symptoms while at school (student, teacher, or staff) as soon as is feasible.

• Students who report feeling feverish should be given an immediate temperature check to determine if they are symptomatic for COVID-19.

Will students be changing classes? How will they stay socially distant during class changes?

• Students will not be changing classes.