HCS Closing: Logistical Considerations Good Evening, Many thanks to all of you for your understanding, flexibility and patience over the last 96 hours. It has been a tumultuous few days, wrought with uncertainty and angst. While we exercise due diligence and strive to make the best possible decisions in times like these, there simply have never been times quite like these. The navigation of COVID-19 is uncharted territory for each of us. Effective today, Honeoye Central School District will be closed from Tuesday, March 17 through Monday April 14. I am reaching out to you this evening to provide additional information which I believe will have tremendous utility for you during our extended school closing. Continuity of Instruction During COVID-Related Closure We recognize that we simply cannot 100% replicate the invaluable learning experiences inherent of our dynamic teaching staff for students to complete independently at home. Our teachers and teaching assistants have planned for and prepared high quality, targeted skill development and spiral review for all students in Grades K-12. Each and every HCS student will have access to supplemental, short term academic support plans intended to provide continuity of instruction during our extended closing. Related service learning tasks will be provided, as applicable, to students from our Speech and Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist. Teaching staff will be available in multiple and varied ways such as: email, Google Classroom, Remind, and / or “Office Hours” to respond to inquiries surrounding the instructional materials or to request additional work for your child. Upon pick up, please review your child’s instructional materials for information from teaching staff regarding preferred methods of communication. Instructional materials are currently available in both buildings for distribution and pick up by families, as outlined below. Distribution of Instructional Materials Families may pick up instructional materials at the Honeoye Central School District on Tuesday, 3/17/2020 between 9:00 - 3:00 and 5:00 - 7:00. Materials for Elementary School students may be picked up in the Elementary School Main Office foyer between 9:00 - 3:00 and 5:00 - 7:00. Materials for Middle School and High School students may be picked up in the foyer of the District Office Entrance between 9:00 - 3:00 and 5:00 - 7:00. Additional Notes Specific to MSHS Students: With notification to Mrs. Klaehn, MS and HS students may access lockers during this time as necessary to retrieve necessary books or personal belongings. Student Instruments are available for pick up and are currently located in the foyer of the District Office Entrance with instructional materials. Student art projects and supplies have been carefully moved and are available for pick up in the foyer of the District Office Entrance with instructional materials. Continuity of Meals for HCS Students During COVID-Related Closure* In an effort to support our students’ nutritional needs during the upcoming extended school closing, Honeoye Central’s Food Service Staff will be preparing “Grab-&-Go” breakfast and lunch meals for HCS students whose families are interested in receiving them. Breakfast and lunch meals will be available for pick up on weekdays between 10:00 - 12:00 starting Wednesday, March 18th. Please note a slight change in our "Grab-&-Go" student meal pick-up starting Wednesday, March 18th. We are moving the "pick-up window" from the Elementary Computer lab to the back cafeteria (upper level) door next to the outdoor freezer. Signage will direct recipients to the pick-up location. Parents/guardians will be asked to sign for meals by indicating their name as well as the names of their HCS-enrolled children. *If you would like to receive meals for your child(ren) while Honeoye Central School is closed, please follow the link below and fill out a brief GoogleForm to help us prepare to serve those interested. https://forms.gle/za3Yk9tpXQURcr7x8 If you have any questions regarding the meals or the pick-up process not answered within this posting, please email [email protected] and a staff member will respond to your question. Additional Nutritional Supports Honeoye Food Pantry (United Church of Christ): https://sites.google.com/site/honeoyefoodpantry/ or [email protected] Foodlink (Rochester) Mobile Pantry weblink: https://foodlinkny.org/fight_hunger/mobile-pantries/#tab-1 2-1-1 (phone number for referral/requests for social services) School Related Medical and Health Inquiries For additional information about COVID-19, I would invite you to review the materials linked below from the NYS Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control. CDC’s dedicated 2019-nCoV website at https://www.cdc.gov/nCoV. NYSDOH’s dedicated 2019-nCoV website at https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/ NYSDOH directory of local health departments https://www.health.ny.gov/contact/contact_information/ New York State Center for School Health website at www.schoolhealthny.com You may also reach out to our school nurse, Marybeth Tonkery via email at [email protected] if you have any questions about this information or in the event you have a school related medical or health concern. Continued Usage of NPIs (Non Pharmaceutical Interventions) During the extended school closing, it is likely that your children may want to engage in social activities such as get togethers, sleep overs, and play dates. Please consider current guidance specific to social distancing when making plans. Additionally, please adhere to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) recommendations for minimizing the spread of all respiratory viruses, including COVID-19: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. While sick, limit contact with other people as much as possible. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash. Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Voluntary home isolation when students are sent home ill. Students should remain at home when ill, except to obtain medical care or necessities. Mental Health/Counseling Services Our HCS psychologists and counselors have provided the following information related to mental health/counseling services. For all students in K-12, we have several phone numbers/text lines to contact for support. If a student is at-risk for self-harm or harming others, contact 911 right away. If a student is struggling and needs to talk, here are resources available 24/7: Life Line: 877-356-9211 1-800-SUICIDE 1-800-273-TALK Text HOME to 741741 2-1-1 USA National Services: Crisis + Emergency, Disaster Assistance, Food, Health, Housing + Utilities, Jobs + Support, Reentry, Veterans In the event that schools are closed for an extended period of time, please utilize community resources as warranted. Technology Supports The technology department will be able to supply a limited amount of remote technology support for students as they are utilizing district devices for remote learning during the period of extended school closure. The district has created an email address for use during the duration of this situation. Students should direct inquiries to [email protected]. Please note, while this address will be actively monitored, reponses may take up to 24 hours. Effective immediately and throughout the extended closing, our Honeoye technology department will not be able to complete onsite computer repairs. Updates and Communication The COVID -19 situation remains fluid and rapidly evolving. As new information impacting HCS becomes available, updates will be communicated via email, ConnectEd calls, social media and on the webpage. I can assure you, it is with heavy heart that we part with our students during this school closing. We eagerly await the opportunity to welcome back all of our incredible students and to resume regular school programming. In the meantime, thank you again for your support and patience! Best, Bridget Ashton Elizabeth Bridget Ashton Superintendent, Honeoye Central School District 8528 Main Street Honeoye, New York 14471 [email protected] On Twitter: @EBridgetAshton