School Year To Begin With 100% K-12 Distance Learning
Dear Clarkstown School Community:
I hope this communication finds you and your family members in good health and spirits.
The matter of reopening schools in the Clarkstown Central School District has been an iterative process since the very beginning: one that becomes adjusted based on multiple forms of input and data points along the way. As Superintendent of Schools, it has been essential for me to process and analyze the data and input in order to guide decision making.
At this juncture, I have recently engaged in lengthy dialogue with district-wide administrative leaders and have determined that, based on specific data points, we will not be ready to fully implement the required actions by September 3rd to support the Essential Question that has been the anchor to our entire process:
“How will the Clarkstown Central School District ensure student learning as well as health and safety for students and staff?”
Specifically, the following matters are challenges that stand in our way during the process to date:
- The health concerns for the wearing of masks by students and staff, as required, during the month of September in classrooms that lack air conditioning and will be very hot.
- The need to secure portable air handling equipment for some rooms and offices across the District.
- The issue of sorting through employee workplace accommodations in order to best staff instruction and support for our students.
- Creating the capacity to successfully disinfect 3,000 computer devices, K-12, after school every day.
- Finalizing an automated lunch menu selection process for students, K-12.
- Creating capacity and electronic systems to manage the health screening data daily for all students and employees.
In summary, the District needs additional time to finalize and secure all aspects of the aforementioned topics.
As a result, the delivery of instruction beginning
September 3 will be done in a 100% remote model for all students, K-12.
By having this extra time to address the matters I have shared within this correspondence, I am confident we will have systems in place in order to be most successful to instruct students while also answering the Essential Question with regard to the health and safety of our students and staff.
Thank you for your flexibility and patience as we navigate all aspects of reopening schools as partners in education.
Stay strong! Stay healthy!
Sincerely,
Martin D. Cox, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools