August 9, 2021
Dear SSCS Family:
As we enter the second week of August, you and your child(ren) are likely wondering what the new school year will look like. If you are like my family and families across NYS, I’m sure you have some questions. While we have not adopted a full Reopening Plan for the 2021-22 school year, I hope this message will begin to answer some of your questions.
A Full Reopening: At Sharon Springs Central we are planning for a full return to school in September. Our classroom capacity will increase from last year, and we anticipate our teachers having increased flexibility in facilitating group work (albeit while abiding by safety protocols). We also expect to offer our full range of co-curricular and extracurricular activities in-person. This includes athletics. We encourage all students to get as involved as they can.
Remote Learning: SSCS is planning to participate in the remote instructional model being coordinated through Capital Region BOCES. Remote instruction will be only for students who have a documented medical necessity.
More detail about this model will be available soon, but the intent is to provide a fully remote, full-year K-12 program for students who require such an accommodation because of a medical condition. This model will provide instruction that will align to the New York State Learning Standards and will be offered to students from multiple school districts taught by New York State certified, highly-qualified teachers with experience teaching in a remote-only environment.
If you believe your child(ren) may require the accommodation of remote learning because of medical necessity, please let us know by filling out this brief survey.
The Status of the Pandemic: Unfortunately, we cannot yet say that the pandemic is behind us. COVID cases are rising across New York and here in Schoharie County as the more contagious “Delta variant” of the coronavirus circulates. We will need to take some steps to mitigate the spread of illness at school.
COVID Regulations: We had anticipated that the New York State Department of Health would be issuing requirements for social-distancing, mask-wearing, health screenings, and other COVID-related procedures. However, last week we were informed the state would be issuing no such guidance, instead leaving it to districts to formulate their own plans. In the absence of state guidance, we’ll be working with other districts in our area, local health officials and our own Reopening Task Force to draft specific recommendations and requirements to minimize the spread of COVID in our schools. Our decisions will be based on recommendations from the Schoharie County Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Our guiding principles are to keep our students, staff and families safe as well as provide our students with a positive, engaging learning environment.
Staying Informed: We will communicate with all of our staff and families as quickly as possible, once plans are adopted. If you have specific questions, feedback or concerns, please feel free to email me at tyorke@sharonsprings.org.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we move closer to welcoming your children back to SSCS.
Sincerely,
Tom Yorke
Proud Superintendent of Sharon Springs CSD
Signup: Students in Grades 9 - 12
Signup: Students in Grades 6 - 8
Permission Slip (Must be signed and returned in order to participate).
SSCS Family,
This morning Sharon Springs CSD received information from the Schoharie County Health Department that a member of our SSCS family has tested positive for COVID-19. Individuals (both SSCS students and staff) who have been in contact with the infected person have been contacted by school officials and will be contacted by the New York Health Department Contact Tracers within the next several days. These individuals are subject to a mandatory quarantine as per the Health Department guidelines.
In this situation, we believe it is best to place the school into Remote Instruction, K-12, through 12/23 beginning Tuesday, 12/15. On Monday, 12/14 SSCS will be conducting a parent-pickup from 1pm to 3pm. If you are not able to come pick up learning materials within this time frame, please contact the school (518) 284 - 2266. Please note that attendance is mandatory for remote instruction, and teachers will be communicating details about remote instruction tomorrow (12/14).
Please note that The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other privacy laws restrict us from disclosing or confirming any personally identifiable information. We cannot identify anyone who has tested positive.
Sharon Springs CSD continues to follow all prevention protocols in accordance with guidelines from the New York State Health Department and CDC — this includes a thorough cleaning and disinfecting of our entire school. We join our SSCS family, to continue to urge everyone to take the risks associated with this pandemic seriously, and to do all you can to minimize your own chances of exposure to the virus. This includes diligent wearing of face masks in public spaces, attention to social distancing, and good regular hygiene.
For further information please visit www.sharonsprings.org >Administrative Updates
Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Tom Yorke
K - 12 Building Principal
Sharon Spring CSD
October 9th:
Friday, October 9th is a regular school day for all students and staff. (Originally it was a scheduled Superintendent’s Conference Day, which we have already used at the beginning of September).
On Friday, October 9th after 3pm all up-to-date grades will be available to students in grades 6 - 12 via Schoology. Please ask your child to show you his/her grades and contact teachers with any questions or concerns. If you would like access to your SSCS Schoology account, as a parent, simply email tyorke@sharonsprings.org.
Parents of Remote Learners, please complete the "Parent Commitment Form (10-13 to 11-06)" by 10/6
Parents of In-Person Learners, please contact the school (518) 284 - 2266 (or tyorke@sharonsprings.org) if you would like to move your child to remote learning.
Materials pick-up/drop off will be Friday, 9/25 anytime between 7:30am and 4pm
Please wear a mask and come into the Visitor Entrance Vestibule
Communicate with teachers to find out exactly what you need to drop off and what specifically needs to be picked up.
The following adjustments were made to the school calendar to best prepare for the upcoming school year:
Wednesday, September 9th 2020:
This will serve as an "Orientation Day" for remote learners
This will serve as a "meet the teacher" for parents and students in grades K - 2.
Thursday, September 10th 2020:
The first day of classes for everyone
More details will follow through a series of video conferences listed below and in the "Back to School" Newsletter in a few weeks.
Please complete this Parent Commitment Form by Monday, August 10th. Details regarding your choice can be found in the slideshow below.
Thank you for entrusting your child's education to Sharon Springs Central School! We appreciate your partnership in helping SSCS provide a safe, engaging learning for all of our students.
Based on the results of the commitment form, we will be hosting another public meeting with parents via Zoom on Tuesday, August 18th at 7pm.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Principal Yorke at tyorke@sharonsprings.org
August 4, 2020
Please join Superintendent Green and Principal Yorke on Thursday (8/6) at either 9am or 7pm, as they explain your child(ren)'s options for providing your child(ren) a safe, engaging education at SSCS:
Password: SSCSstrong
Please complete this Parent Commitment Form by Monday, August 10th.
Thank you for entrusting your child's education to Sharon Springs Central School! We appreciate your partnership in helping SSCS provide a safe, engaging learning for all of our students.
Based on the results of the commitment form, we will be hosting another public meeting with parents via Zoom on Tuesday, August 18th at 7pm.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Principal Yorke at tyorke@sharonsprings.org
Topic: Reopening SSCS Safely - Parent & Student Meeting
Meeting ID: 991 4984 2752
Passcode: SSCSstrong
NOTE: Only SSCS employees who have regularly been coming into the building over the past several weeks or do not have access to teleconference should come to the school auditorium on July 15th for these meetings (please wear a mask, use social distancing, and complete the health survey).
All others who would like to participate should use the appropriate link(s) below at the scheduled time.
Zoom Password for each meeting: SSCSstrong
Transportation Staff: 8:00am
Custodial Staff: 8:45am
Office Staff/IT: 9:30am
Core Elementary Instructional Staff: 10:30am
Core Secondary Instructional Staff: 11:30am
PPS Team/Special Ed/Specials Instructional Staff: 12:30pm
Cafeteria Staff: 1:30pm
SSCS Students: 5pm
Parents: 7pm
Mr. Pat Green (pgreen@sharonsprings.org) , Superintendent
Mr. Tom Yorke (tyorke@sharonsprings.org), Principal
Mr. Tony DiPace (adipace@sharonsprings.org), Business Manager
Requirements for Reopening:
Our region (the Mohawk Region) must be in phase 4 of the Governor’s reopening
Our region must have a daily infection rate less than 5% over two weeks
Board of Regents Framework & NYS Department of Health Guidance, K - 12 School Guidance For Reopening
What questions do you need answered so that you feel safe and supported attending and having students attend SSCS in the fall of 2020?
What questions do you need answered so that SSCS’s mission and vision are being pursued amidst the safety guidelines provided by NYS Department of Health & NYS Education Department?
July 13th 2020
We understand that everyone wants to know our plans for the fall, so we want to share our vision and approach:
We have been following what other districts in our region are proposing for the fall, but our goal (if legally permissible) is to have full K-12 in attendance at SSCS. Of course we are putting into place resources and procedures for carrying out these plans in a safe and secure manner, while staying as close to a traditional schedule as possible for our students.
At this point in time, we are looking closely through the guidance from NYSED, which was released today (7/13). At this time, these guidelines do not make much clear other than the fact that we will must have a detailed reopening plan that includes 3 scenarios (in-person instruction, remote instruction and hybrid instruction) that must be approved by NYSED. As we begin developing the details of each scenario we are keeping the focus in-line with the needs of our students, staff and community by:
prioritizing the safety of our students, staff and community;
working to support the social and emotional well-being of our students; and
providing an education that inspires each student to maximize his/her potential by meeting or exceeding specific academic standards.
On Wednesday, July 15th we will be hosting a series of video conferences for our various stakeholders. If you or your child would like to be part of this collaboration, please contact me at tyorke@sharonsprings.org so I can send you a link to the video conference.
Our plan will be shared with our community as soon as we collaboratively produce this plan.
Thank you in advance for your patient, active support of SSCS!
Grades 6 - 12: A final materials exchange for students in grades 6 - 12 will be conducted on Thursday, 6/11 from 9am to 11am at the rear of the school (the back of the New Gym).
At this time, students will be provided with an end-of-the-year learning packet and receive personal belongings left in lockers/desks.
Additionally, students will return their school issued iPads, school issued books, and turn in school work.
Grades K - 5: A final materials exchange and SAFE/SOCIALLY DISTANT celebration for students in grades K - 5 will be conducted on Friday, 6/12 from 9am to 11am at the rear of the school (the back of the New Gym).
At this time, students will be provided with an end-of-the-year learning packet and receive personal belongings left in lockers/desks.
Additionally, students will return their school issued iPads, school issued books, and turn in school work.
If you have children in both elementary and secondary (middle/high school), then please come to the materials exchange on Friday, 6/12.
Please remember to abide by social distancing protocols (please wear a mask and do not exit your vehicle unless asked by school personnel).
NOTE: All teachers want and requested to be be part of the final materials exchange; however, because of social distancing guidelines this cannot happen. Please know that our teachers are heartbroken over this, but they understand that we need to make sure the health and safety are our first priority.
The Sharon Springs CSD's final day of off-site instruction will by Monday, 6/15.
School buildings throughout NYS will be closed until the fall, but teaching and learning will continue at SSCS (see the At-Home Learning link).
We know many of you are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 2019-20 SSCS yearbooks. Life Touch (the yearbook publisher) is working hard to produce the yearbooks under the circumstances, but due to the shutdown of their facility and the requirement of staff reductions they are behind in printing yearbooks for this school year. As soon as we receive the delivery date, we will communicate with you as to how our yearbook distribution will take place. If possible, we plan to hand deliver yearbooks to our graduates and provide pickup times for all other yearbook orders.
Please reach out to us if you need anything (tyorke@sharonsprings.org)
The language in Governor Cuomo’s executive order makes it clear that instruction must continue through this period.
Keep in mind that academic participation during the closure is expected & not optional, but that SSCS educators are here to support you through this each step of the way.
Note:
The food pantry located in the new "Visitor Entrance" will continue to be open on Tuesday and Friday from 7:30am- 9:00am and we have added Wednesday from 6:00pm-7:00pm
We also deeply appreciate the supportive community in which we serve!
We miss our students, but love to see that despite not being in our building they are learning and overcoming challenges with resilience!
Third quarter report cards were sent out today.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to individual teachers and Cc (tyorke@sharonsprings.org)
Please note:
Students in grades 6 - 12 do not have the honor roll and/or merit roll designation on their report cards - the students who earned these designations will be honored in the Times Journal in several weeks as well as when we return to school.
The food pantry located in the new "Visitor Entrance" will continue to be open on Tuesday and Friday from 7:30am- 9:00am and we are adding Wednesday from 6:00pm-7:00pm
Thanks to our dedicated, passionate and compassionate teachers, office staff, bus drivers, cafeteria staff and other SSCS family - students received learning materials today (or they're in the mail for our out-of-district students)!
We also deeply appreciate the supportive community in which we serve!
We miss our students, but love to see that despite not being in our building they are learning and overcoming challenges with resilience!
Please reach out to us if you need anything (tyorke@sharonsprings.org)
Monday, 4/6/20: NYS Regents examinations scheduled for June have been canceled by NYSED. More guidance to follow as information becomes available.
Governor Cuomo announced the "New York State on PAUSE" executive order, a 10-point policy to assure uniform safety for everyone. The 10-point NYS on PAUSE plan is as follows:
Effective at 8PM on Sunday, March 22, all non-essential businesses statewide will be closed;
Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time;
Any concentration of individuals outside their home must be limited to workers providing essential services and social distancing should be practiced;
When in public individuals must practice social distancing of at least six feet from others;
Businesses and entities that provide other essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet;
Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities where they come in close contact with other people;
Individuals should limit use of public transportation to when absolutely necessary and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least six feet from other riders;
Sick individuals should not leave their home unless to receive medical care and only after a tele-health visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health;
Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations; and
Use precautionary sanitizer practices such as using isopropyl alcohol wipes
Update on April 1st @ 10:00am:
Yesterday, 3/31/2020, parents picked up:
Learning packets, instruments and books
iPads were distributed to our K - 5 students
All materials that could not be picked up will be delivered on Thursday (4/2) between 9am - 3pm. (iPads, require a parent signature, so please contact the school to set up an appointment to pick an iPad up).
Update as of March 20th 2020 at 1pm
According to NYSED, the administrations of the 2020 elementary- and intermediate-level State assessments have been suspended for the remainder of the 2019 - 2020 school year, this includes:
New York State Grades 3-8 English Language Arts Test;
New York State Grades 3-8 Mathematics Test;
New York State Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test;
New York State Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test;
New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) in Grades K-12; and
New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) for students with severe cognitive disabilities in Grades 3-8 and high school.
March 16, 2020
Good afternoon SSCS Families,
We’re writing to provide you with some important updates regarding our recently announced school closings. A two-week school closing is rather unprecedented in New York State. Despite this, we’ve taken this action to help prevent community transmission of the COVID-19 virus and protect the health of our students, staff, and community.
As a reminder: Our school will be closed for 2 weeks (March 16-20 and March 23-27). During this school closing, all co-curricular and extracurricular activities (including all athletics) are cancelled.
Here are a few important updates on what this closing means for your child/children and family:
Academics and Instruction: Our teachers have been working hard to prepare instructional resources for our students. Some of our teachers have sent home work already; others have been preparing resources that will be shared with students electronically. K-5 students should expect to receive work packet and you can visit your child's teacher's website. 7-12 students will be able to access academic resources through their existing Schoology accounts.
Technology: Many of the resources we are sharing with students require technology (device and internet) to access. We will be having iPads for 6th graders available for pick up by parental appointment. Please call the school or email treynolds@sharonsprings.org for an appointment, depending on the progression of the virus and guidance from the Schoharie County, State and Federal Government. 6th grade parents and students will be required to sign a usage agreement when picking up their iPads. As for technical support, you may contact Tom Reynolds treynolds@sharonsprings.org or Nathan Armstrong narmstrong@sharonsprings.org between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. They will respond as soon as possible.
Food Services: We intend to offer “grab-and-go” meals to students beginning on Tuesday, March 17. Meals (lunch) will be available for pick-up at the school. Each parent or student should have already been contacted by school personnel on whether you want to participate, or use the sign up accessible off the district web-page. Distribution of the student meals per family will remain fluid as we determine how many families want delivery and how many will pick up their meals here at the school. We anticipate deliveries will happen between 8:30AM and noon, and pick up times will be available 8:30 to 11:00 AM. If your child is a Pre-k or head start student please coordinate your food services through the head start.
*** The Sharon Springs Methodist Church food bank will be temporarily relocated to the school effective Monday March 23. 2020, until further notice. SSCS staff will be operating the food bank and provide food pantry items as needed. At this time we expect the hours to be Tuesday-7:30am-9:00 am and Friday-7:30 am-9:00 am.
School Offices: Currently, we plan to have our school offices open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Suffice to say, this could change as the situation changes (as well as our individual health). We are asking that parents and students to refrain from visiting our schools (or school grounds), except for when visiting to pick up meals or instructional resources in designated areas. This should be done in advance by appointment when one of us will meet and guide you. We are taking these steps to maintain “social distancing” and protect the safety and welfare of our staff and visitors.
Website: This school website will continue to serve as the best source for up-to-date district news. We will be posting our most up-do-date information for students, parents, and staff on this website. We’ve also included links to state and federal websites with accurate information on the coronavirus pandemic.
Child Care: an extended school closing can present families with a significant challenge when it comes to child care. The New York State Office of Children and Family Services maintains a website to assist families in accessing child care in our state. You can get more information at www.ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare.
Talking with Children About COVID-19: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has offered the following tips/guidelines for talking with children about the coronavirus pandemic:
Other Mental Health Concerns: We are working to have our School Counselors available on a call in basis. For elementary students, if they have any questions, need to talk about their homework, friends, or anything related, Ms. Scully will be available during normal business hours via the Remind App. This can be downloaded on your phone or accessed on a computer where you will have real time access (@escully5) . For middle and high school students, Ms. Schlenker will be available through Schoology. Mr. Scimeca will remain available to all K-12 students and parents alike for counseling or to discuss other concerns as needed via email.
If You've Traveled: even with our schools now closed for two weeks, it's important for you to notify your child's school if you, your child, or another family member travel to high risk exposure areas (inside the USA) or travel outside the country.
These are challenging times for everyone---our students, their families, our faculty and staff, and our entire community. We commend our staff for their dedication and professionalism during this pandemic and we extend our thanks to you, our SSCS families, for your understanding, your flexibility, and your support.
We will continue to email you with new information and updates and we encourage you to visit our website frequently for up-to-date information on our district’s response to this pandemic.
Pat Green - Superintendent
Tony DiPace - Business Manager
Tom Yorke - Principal
Dear SSCS Family:
As of 6pm on March 13, 2020, at the request of the Schoharie County Departments of Health, all public schools in Schoharie County will be closing for two weeks. Beginning Monday, March 16th Sharon Springs Central School will be closed until March 30, 2020. This decision was made in an abundance of caution, in hopes to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our area. We will remain vigilant in our efforts to help prevent the spread of this illness, and we appreciate your attention to the information we are providing.
Now that we are in a prolonged school closure, we are working cooperatively with other local agencies to share accurate information, resources and food to those in need. We are mobilizing on Monday (3/16) to be able to provide food as soon as Tuesday (3/17) - simple use the "Food Need" tab to provide us with essential information. Additionally, on Monday (3/16) our dedicated teachers will be preparing distance learning content and reaching out to our students to provide access to educational resources. These resources will be made available in a variety of ways, from electronic means (using Schoology and/or email) to paper-based packets. Details regarding how these educational resources will be made available and when they will be made available will be communicated by the end of the day by individual teachers on Monday (3/16). If your child does not have access to instructional resources by Tuesday (3/17), please email your child's teacher and tyorke@sharonsprings.org. (Please understand that our dedicated educators are doing all they can to provide educational resources as well as community resources; however, we are not immune to this virus either and also have personal obligations to our families).
We will continue to share information as it becomes available. Look here for more information to follow, and please use the menu at the top of this page to ask any questions you have regarding this very fluid situation.
Sincerely,
Pat Green - Superintendent
Tony DiPace - Business Manager
Tom Yorke - Principal
On Wednesday, 9/16 the Schoharie County Health Department informed Sharon Springs CSD, along with other Schoharie County Schools, that masks must continue to be worn in the classrooms for the duration of the class period. This means that teachers will no longer have the choice to allow students to take their masks off during instruction. Masks must be worn in all classes with short breaks, of 2-3 minutes in duration, given throughout the day. Additionally, masks with valves and gaiters are not acceptable face coverings. For clarification about masks, please use visit the following website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
If you have further questions, please contact tyorke@sharonsprings.org. Thank you for your cooperation and patience amidst these difficult and often confusing times.
Breakfast/lunch pickup/drop-off will next be conducted next on Tuesday 8:30am - 11am. If you are picking up, please pull up on the east-side by the "Food" sign, and ring the bell. If you are signed up, please make sure you are home for drop off (or pick up the food if you signed up to pick it up). We are on a Tuesday and Thursday breakfast/lunch pickup/drop-off.
If your child needs to pick up materials at the school, please call the school (or email tyorke@sharonsprings.org) to arrange a specific time.
If your child is not able to log into Schoology (or Google), please have him/her email Mr. Yorke at tyorke@sharonspring.org.
If you picked up food or had it delivered today you do not need to complete another request. If you need breakfast/lunch but did not sign up yet, please click here. Please return food boxes/bags upon pickup or return them when the next delivery is made.
If you work for an essential service provider, please use the "Child Care" tab to complete a survey so we can help in meeting your child care needs.
If you need any materials, please call the school or email tyorke@sharonsprings.org to make arrangements to either have these materials picked up or delivered.
If you are in need of any technical assistance please reach out to treynolds@sharonsprings.org. For Schoology assistance, reach out to tyorke@sharonsprings.org.