2/1/2021 Communication with HCS Community

Dear HCS Community,

I hope that you enjoyed a restful weekend.  Difficult to imagine, but we are now launching the second semester of the 2020-21 school year! I have several important reminders and updates to share with the Honeoye Central School District community this morning:

1. Continuity of Meals During February Break
2. Green Light on High Risk Athletics: Basketball Will Begin on 2/1 
3. REMINDER: Half Days Added to School Calendar
4. Save the Date: Town Halls Scheduled for Thursday, 4/22/2021
5. Administration of the 2021 Evalumetrics Youth Survey at HCS
6. REMINDER: New York State Travel Restrictions Still Applicable
7. REMINDER...Health and Safety Protocols

Continuity of Meals During February Break
HCS continues to uphold its commitment to supporting families during school recess weeks with access to free meals for the upcoming Presidents' Week Recess in February. Meals will be available for pick up at the HCS Kitchen door next to the painted outdoor freezer on the Main Street side of the building from 10:30-12:30 on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. This distribution plan will include 4 days of breakfast and lunch per student for 2/16 - 2/19. Interested families should complete our online form (Click here) by the end of the day Friday, February 5th.  

Please email [email protected] with questions or to request individual contact from Mrs. Winterhalt or Mr. Bastian regarding participation in this free "meals for recess" initiative.

Green Light on High Risk Athletics: Basketball Will Begin on 2/1 
As you are likely aware, the governor announced on January 22 that high risk sports would be permissible effective February 1, under the guidance of local Departments of Health. “After extended internal consultation and discussion among Finger Lakes and Western Region County Health Officials, it has been determined that higher-risk and moderate risk sports may proceed in Ontario County in accordance with New York State guidelines,” stated Mary Beer, Director of the Ontario County Public Health Department.

The winter athletic season will look different than it has in the past. High risk sports at HCS translates to a season for BASKETBALL ONLY. Cheerleading has been moved to the Fall 2 schedule.

Per the State guidance, indoor facilities must limit their capacity and allow for a maximum of two spectators per player. In addition, protocols to ensure social distancing, use of face coverings, and enhanced disinfection protocols must be implemented. Regrettably, despite the fact that the guidance allows for two spectators per athlete, given the totality of circumstances taken into consideration, we will move forward initially at HCS with no spectators.  Please note: While data collected to date indicates that there are some districts in the region/division who are permitting "home school" spectators, the majority of districts are taking a similar stance as HCS with regard to spectators. In addition to overall safety concerns and enhanced disinfection protocols, districts are functioning amidst staffing shortages spanning all areas of operation due to mandated COVID related leaves. COVID related leaves (NYSDOH algorithm required testing and DOH quarantining) impact our continuity of operations and instruction on a daily basis. We will continue to assess our circumstances and relax this facet of our approach as deemed safe to do so.  Our athletic director, Lorri Campbell, is planning to coordinate a special "parent night" for our senior players.

Other important considerations:

• HCS, along with most districts, are taking a position that there will be NO ACCESS to locker rooms. Teams will be expected to come dressed.
• HCS, along with most districts, are enforcing a 100% masking approach to basketball.
• For moderate and higher risk sports, if an athlete, coach or referee receives a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, all in-person team or group activities for that sport (e.g. practices, scrimmages, games, meetings) may result in a 10 day suspension to lessen the spread of infection and allow for the case investigation and contact tracing to occur. Situations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

We thank you for your patience and understanding as HCS navigates the logistics of high risk sports this winter season.

REMINDER: Half Days Added to School Calendar
Given the construct of our mixed hybrid model for reopening and its impact on teaching and learning at HCS, we have identified five dates in which the Honeoye Central School District staff will have the opportunity to engage as a professional learning community during half days. Our next half day is scheduled for Friday, February 12.

Subsequent half days are scheduled as follows:

• March 12
• April 16

On the aforementioned dates, dismissal will occur as follows:

• Secondary dismissal: 10:00 a.m.
• Grades 3-5 dismissal: 11:00 a.m.
• Grades Pre-K to 2 dismissal: 12:00
• UPK am dismissal: 12:00
• UPK pm dismissal:  3:25

Students and families may expect that there will be teacher directed learning activities for student completion upon arrival at home on these dates. Note: Mrs. Klaehn will provide additional information surrounding period schedules at the secondary level and BOCES programming for these dates.

Save the Date: Town Halls Scheduled for Thursday, 4/22/2021
Back in September, HCS offered Town Hall Meetings with the explicit purpose of checking in with our families and students to ascertain how things were going within our mixed hybrid model of reopening. At that time, it was decided we would offer additional opportunities for families to participate in Town Hall meetings at the completion of each marking period. As such, HCS invites you to “save the date” and time below to join us for upcoming Town Hall meetings as follows:

• 4/22 6:00 - 7:00 ~ Progress Monitoring the HCS Plan: How are things going at elementary level? 
  • Google Meet access information will be shared via Parent Square at a later date.
• 4/22 7:00 - 8:00 ~ Progress Monitoring the HCS Plan: How are things going at secondary level? 
  • Google Meet access information will be shared via Parent Square at a later date.

Administration of the 2021 Evalumetrics Youth Survey at HCS
As shared by our Director of Pupil Personnel Services on 1/26/2021, the Honeoye Central School District will participate in administration of the 2021 Evalumetrics Youth Survey for students in Grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. This survey is intended to improve our understanding of the risk and protective factors impacting young people. The survey is supported by the Partnership for Ontario County and provided through Finger Lakes Community Schools. Please note the following:

1. Participation in the survey is totally voluntary. Your child does not have to participate. Students are not required to answer any or all questions, only those that they want to answer.
2. Completion of the survey is anonymous. No names or any other identifying information will be recorded. 
3. Survey results will be utilized by HCS and the Partnership for Ontario County to better support our youth and local communities.
4. The Evalumetrics Youth Survey has been scientifically tested. It is valid and reliable. 
5. To exempt your child from completing the survey, please email Tina Bush at [email protected] or call her office at (585)229-5171 ext.3033 by 2/01/2021. 
6. A copy of the survey is available for review upon request. You may email or call the Partnership for Ontario County Executive Director, Tracey Dello Stritto at [email protected] or (716) 249-4551(cellphone)or FLX Community Schools Director, Jay Roscup at [email protected] or 315-527-6546 with questions regarding the survey.  

Thank you for your support of this initiative!

Reminder: New York State Travel Restrictions Still Applicable
With February Break quickly approaching, HCS wants to remind families about the NYS Travel Advisory guidelines.  If your family will be traveling outside of NYS to a non-contiguous state, please inform the school and indicate if your child will be quarantining for ten days or obtaining COVID tests. Should a family opt for COVID testing following travel, they must provide documentation to the school for two negative tests before a child may return to school.

• For travelers who were out-of-state for more than 24 hours:
  • Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure, prior to arrival in New York.
    • The traveler must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days.
    • On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain another COVID test. If both tests comes back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test
• For travelers who were out-of-state for less than 24 hours:
  • The traveler does not need a test prior to their departure from the other state, and does not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State.
    • However, the traveler must fill out our traveler form upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID diagnostic test 4 days after their arrival in New York.

If you have any questions or need to contact the school regarding your child and travel, please contact Mrs. Tonkery, School Nurse at 585-229-5171 ext. 3013 or email: [email protected]

REMINDER...Health and Safety Protocols
The Honeoye Central School District, in conjunction with the Ontario County Health Department, is taking every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of our students, staff and families. Our primary concern is the health and wellness of our HCS community. We thank you and encourage continued adherence to the DOH and CDC health and safety protocols:

• Practice social distancing of at least six feet, whenever possible.
• Wear a face covering, especially when it is not possible to maintain at least six feet of social distancing.
• Wash your hands regularly, using soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
• Complete the HCS daily health screening. Stay home if feeling ill.

If you have any questions about the information included in this communication or otherwise, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your continued patience and support of Honeoye Central School District!  Be safe and be well!

Warmest regards,
E. Bridget Ashton

Elizabeth Bridget Ashton
Superintendent, Honeoye Central School District
8528 Main Street
Honeoye, New York 14471
[email protected]
On Twitter: @EBridgetAshton