First grade scheduling changes

Dear parents and caregivers,

We are excited to share that we are increasing in-person classes for our first grade students! First grade students will be remote for March 8-9, however, beginning Wednesday, March 10, our first grade students in the hybrid learning plan will attend school in-person every week. They will no longer have a week of remote instruction March 10th through the last day of school.

The district has conducted an ongoing review of operations since reopening to help make this possible. We will welcome our first grade students on a daily basis in an effort to support our youngest learners as they learn to read and prepare for the second grade.

Safety remains our number one priority. Mrs. Hoertkorn and Mrs. Borkowski/Mrs. Wolf’s classes will each have one classroom of students instead of being divided into two split rooms. We will have some students sitting in pairs with  see-through barriers between them. All pairs or single desks will be 6′ apart and students will still be able to take off their masks whenever transitions are not occurring (same protocols we’ve had in place since we opened). We know these see-through barriers work as we have been using them all year in Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. Over time, our intention is to do this process in all four first grade rooms (when materials are available and prepared). Students will all have the same teacher and first grade will receive support by teaching assistants and aides.

Students will continue their established day-to-day routines.  Pick-up and drop-off procedures will continue as normal (parent pick-up at 2:10). We will continue following all health and safety guidelines as outlined by the New York State Education Department and the Department of Health.

We look forward to seeing our first students in our classrooms each day. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s teacher or myself.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Megan Collins
Interim Elementary School Principal