Reopening Plan

This plan for the reopening of Sayville Public Schools has been developed in response to the Covid-19 crisis situation and is based on guidelines provided by the NYS Department of Health and the NYS Education Department. Our emergency plan includes the District’s mission, core values and goals, as well as the input of hundreds of parents and educators from around the district. The Sayville Reopening Plan presents a detailed description of what conditions must be met for the safe reopening of schools. The final decision whether or not schools reopen ultimately lies with Governor Cuomo.

The District’s first priority is maintaining the health and safety of our students, staff and visitors. There are many challenges that we will need to face. This plan contains directions that may not always be convenient. There will be times when the conditions may not be the ideal way to teach children; however, every decision must be made with health and safety as our primary concern.

The New York State Department of Health and the Education Department have provided detailed information as to how to provide instruction in a safe environment during the COVID-19 crisis. The District is carefully following these instructions. In particular, health and safety plans will emphasize:

  • Six feet of social distancing
  • Frequent and thorough hand washing
  • Wearing of masks (staff & students)
  • Observing respiratory etiquette
  • Regular cleaning and disinfecting of student and staff used spaces
  • Enhanced ventilation

The State has directed that reopening plans must cover in detail the following categories:

  • Health & Safety
  • Facilities
  • Nutrition
  • Transportation
  • Social-Emotional Well-being
  • Schedules
  • Attendance
  • Technology & Connectivity
  • Teaching & Learning
  • Special Education
  • English Language Learners
  • Staffing & Human Resources

Many hours of dedicated work on the part of our district administrators have gone into the preparation of this document. Our administrators worked diligently with a variety of caring and creative members of the District Health and Safety Committee, Social and Emotional Learning Committee, and Distance Learning Committee. We will continue to work with these committees, as well as, the leadership of the District’s bargaining units, PTAs, student groups, and Reopening Roundtable members to make sure that this plan is refined to best meet the needs of our students.

Please be aware that these plans are based on the current guidance provided to us by federal, state and local authorities, as well as the recommendations by our public health officials. This plan is subject to change at any moment. The District will continue to post current information concerning reopening plans on the school district webpage, as well as distributing information via the School Messenger application.

These are unsettling times and this is not business as usual. We all must pull together as Sayville Public Schools move through this crisis. The Board of Education and District will rely on the cooperation and support of all District stakeholders as we go forward.