Frequently Asked Questions Related to School Restart
(1) Who decides whether the schools will reopen in the fall?
Ultimately, the power to regulate education rests with the Governor's Office. Schools were closed this year through executive orders which hold the power of law. The decision to reopen schools will also be directed by the State. We expect that the NYS Education Department or NYS Health Department will issue guidance that sets parameters around the types of social distancing, cleaning, contact tracing, transportation, etc. that school districts will need to implement.
(2) How are the schools planning to reopen?
The District will use a phased-in start to introduce students to the new realities of in-person learning and to assure that building level protocols and health and safety measures are sound. This approach is based on the following considerations:
The immense complexity of this planning process;
The opportunity for teachers to create individual and meaningful connections with students before bringing whole cohorts together;
The obligation to reduce density for the first weeks of school as we reintroduce staff and students into buildings with new plans;
The requirement to train students on new routines and procedures and give them appropriate opportunities to practice;
The need to ensure that our building protocols are sound at each school site; and
The desire to practice moving into different learning modalities, as needed or required by changing circumstances.
This phased-in approach will begin on September 10th and 11th. Students in virtual-only learning will also begin this week. We will use the week of September 14th-18th to phase in-person students back into the buildings. Below are links to the specifics for each level:
Edgewood, Fox Meadow, Greenacres, Heathcote, Quaker Ridge
(3) How is the District planning for re-opening?
The District has set up a Restart Steering Committee and specific Task Groups to plan for the reopening of schools. Each of these committees include representation from parents, teachers, building administrators, and central office. Additionally, our planning efforts include input from Westchester school districts, State and local officials, Westchester Department of Health, NYSED, and the Governor’s Office.
Our website describes the work of the Steering Committee as well as each of the subcommittees, and the scenarios for which we are planning. The website will be regularly updated as our plans evolve.
(4) Are parents involved in the planning?
There is parent representation on the Restart Steering Committee, as well as all of the Task Groups which focus on scheduling, instruction, and health. Parents will continue to have the opportunity to participate in surveys related to restart scenarios.
(5) What are the cleaning protocols for the schools?
The Facilities Task Group has developed a plan that provides for daily disinfection of all District spaces. The District has invested in equipment to make disinfection more efficient and effective. The disinfection protocols follow CDC guidelines for cleaning, including the frequent disinfection of surfaces and objects touched by multiple people.
(6) Will the District have adequate cleaning and PPE supplies on hand?
Since the beginning of the closure the Buildings and Grounds Department has been sourcing and procuring cleaning and PPE products due to the long lead times associated with COVID-19. The extent to which we will be using PPE has been clarified in our final planning documents, based on State guidance.
(7) If the schools reopen, how can you enforce social distancing?
Some approaches to social distancing will be operational. These include spacing desks, creating barriers as necessary, staggering arrival and dismissal times, and maintaining cohorts of students (set groupings).
We will employ various developmentally-appropriate techniques to encourage and monitor social distancing behaviors. We recognize and acknowledge that our efforts are in the service of mitigating risk and points of contact, but cannot eliminate risks inherent in bringing faculty and students together.
(8) If the schools remain closed, how can you make distance learning work for K-2?
Our planning work to date on eLearning for the fall has focused on the following for all grades:
Attention to health, wellness, and joyful engagement, as well as curriculum alignment;
Teacher to student connections;
Student to student connections (clubs, extra-curriculars); and
Predictable structures and schedules:
Regular “live” (synchronous) connections with students
Small group and individual engagement
Meaningful and engaging asynchronous activities and projects
Clear definitions of student and parent expectations
Consistent and cohesive feedback and assessment
We recognize that face-to-face, in person instruction is the preferred modality for the K-2 age group. In the event that eLearning has to be implemented this year, our plans will specifically address issues of student engagement and provide appropriate grade-specific adaptations and supports.
(9) What resources are available to help my children cope with distance learning when they are frustrated, sad, disengaged, or confused?
First, we must acknowledge the complicated range of emotions we have all been experiencing over the course of this pandemic. Our students have experienced these same feelings. Scarsdale’s support systems for students remain accessible. If you have concerns about your child(ren)’s mental health, you should initially contact your child’s teacher and set up a time to have a detailed discussion. Additionally, the school counselor, dean or school psychologist are always willing to help through direct counseling sessions or recommendations for more in-depth interventions. You can access those contacts here.
(10) How will we measure success?
Much of the professional work conducted over the summerhas been devoted to effective approaches to online instruction, as well as developing appropriate assessments for measuring student progress. In addition to measuring educational success, we also plan to assess emotional well-being, wellness, and the extent to which the educational program is meeting the needs of our students.
(11) Will the changes required by COVID-19 have an impact on curriculum?
Yes. Distance learning can never be a full substitute for the classroom experience. eLearning will require the adjustment and modification of curriculum expectations and will need a greater amount of reinforcement and reiteration to compensate for the lack of in-person interaction. Teachers and administrators will regularly assess the scope and sequence in light of the learning structure in order to assure students are receiving essential skills and concepts for the grade level or class.
(12) Has the District considered the use of tents to provide additional student space on our campuses?
Yes, the District has investigated the utilization of tents and at this time is not considering their use as a viable option due to the many considerable challenges which have been identified.
Most notably, we have been informed by the District’s architect that tents, both temporary and permanent, are regulated by code and must be submitted to the State Education Department for a building permit and comply with the Fire Code of NYS. There are also extensive requirements including construction documents, access roads, seating plans, means of egress, illumination, exit signs and the like. If tents would be erected for more than 180 days then additional requirements would be required including building plans which would show, anchorage mechanism, number of exits, width of each exit, table/chair/contents, layout, fire extinguisher location, occupant load, utilities and ventilation requirements.
In addition to State restrictions, there are a number of other concerns with the utilization of tents including, but not limited to; the following:
proximity and storage of teaching materials;
additional movement or purchase of appropriate seating, desks, tables etc.;
additional time requirement for the cleaning and disinfecting of areas located outside of the school building when custodial staff will already be engaged in meeting stringent guidelines for existing spaces;
limited wi-fi access;
electricity;
weather;
wear and tear on athletic fields; and
security.
(13) How can we maintain the core values of a Scarsdale education?
Our vision statement for restart efforts: The Scarsdale Schools Restart efforts commit to providing an educational environment that is physically and emotionally safe; to establishing and nurturing connections within the full school community; and to fostering meaningful learning opportunities for each student regardless of the structure of schooling which takes place in the future.
Beyond this, the District continues to commit itself to the following long-standing values:
High standards of scholarship in a reasoned and humane atmosphere. An education where adults know each student's mind and person.
Teaching, guidance and counseling which are caring, reflective, respectful of and responsive to individual aptitudes and needs, while mindful of the greater good.
A school environment structured to help students develop a growing sense of responsibility and self-discipline, involving them in the development and direction of their own education.
Integrated, continuous, and progressively broadening opportunity in and beyond the classroom for students to grow intellectually and in leadership, self expression, talent and interest.
An education which reflects awareness of promising and effective new development in theory and methods.
Those core values are conveyed through the work of our teachers, professional support staff, and administrators every day, no matter how instruction occurs over the course of the school year. person or remotely.
(14) Will twins be placed in the the same class?
In the interests of limiting the exposure any cohorts may be subject to, if twins are in the same school and grade, they will be placed in the same class.