Dear Families,
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year!
There is no question that this is the most unusual start to a school year in any of our lifetimes. So much has changed over the past six months in every facet of our lives. This is especially true for schools, and the changes will be quickly evident to our students as they return.
As you are likely aware, schools in New York State are subject to extraordinarily strict guidance on how we can operate this year. From the use of masks to cleaning to social distancing- the list goes on and on. We have spent the summer preparing as diligently as we can to make this work for our kids and families. However, it is important to note that there will always be a very high likelihood that we will need to pivot to our full-remote plan at some point. This could happen for a variety of reasons, but it is important to convey this upfront.
We want nothing more than to have our students here in normal attendance with us, and we have tried, under the most challenging of circumstances, to get as close to that as we can. However, we must remain faithful to the health and safety guidance that the State has imposed on us, and the direction of our state and local Health Departments. These will be the main drivers of many of the decisions we will have to make as we move through the school year.
Educationally, I want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power, under the circumstances, to provide the best possible learning experience for our kids. We understand the massive shift everyone has had to make during this pandemic, but we are constantly working to get better at moving our kids forward through multiple modes of delivery. Please note that our faculty and staff stand ready to help as best we can as we continue to work through this challenge.
In closing, I just want to thank all of you for how supportive you have been through this crisis. The frustration and isolation that this pandemic has caused is almost incomprehensible. Through it all, the Newark Valley school community has been outstanding. I am honored to serve it, and proud to call it my home.
Sincerely,
Ryan Dougherty
Superintendent of Schools