Starpoint High School
Vol# 5 Issue 1, August 28 , 2020
Flexibility
Dear Parents:
The events of the last 5 months have been unprecedented to anyone born after World War II. Since March 13, 2020, we have learned a great deal about COVID-19 and how to navigate safely with it in our midst. The 2020-2021 school year will be challenging for all of us and our students.
The High School is opening under a hybrid model which is a mix of virtual and in-person instruction. The student population is split into halves in order to adhere to proper social distancing and safety guidelines required by the State Education Department. The High School will have two teams- Garnet (A-LE) and Gray (Li-Z). Garnett will attend on Mondays and Thursdays while Gray will attend on Tuesdays and Fridays. In addition, there is the option to receive instruction 100% online; SOLA- The Starpoint Online Learning Academy---is entirely online for the first semester of the year (January 29, 2021).
Virtual Wednesday- Wednesdays will be all online for everyone utilizing Google Hangouts / Meets with their teachers. (See schedule below)
Things are definitely not back to normal as we get ready for the 2020-2021 school year to begin. There are many modifications, limitations, and "until further notice" postponements. We will do our best to get back to normal as State guidance allows. This newsletter will go into detail, but please note the following:
Students who drive or are dropped off will be able to enter the building beginning at 7:20 a.m.
Students will not be able to access their lockers yet.
Freshmen Orientation will be completed virtually.
Open House will be virtual.
To begin the school year, all students will be required to leave at the 2:18 p.m. dismissal time. Students will not be allowed to stay after school for any reason. The hope is that this will be reevaluated as the school year progresses.
Schedules are expected to be finalized no later than September 4th. Due to social distance and class size limitations, we will not honor any class, lunch, or study hall change requests.
In addition, the District updates its Frequently Asked Question document on the District website. You can access it here...https://docs.google.com/document/d/13KXs9ztnyRprdkPU-axxCePi0uugtJI1yK6W_l-x2V0/edit
Please keep in mind that this year especially, we have to be flexible, be problem-solvers, be proactive in ensuring the transition between in-person, hybrid, and virtual learning environments will be seamless and most importantly, be there for one another.
Maintain hope, positive thoughts, and be good to one another.
Sincerely,
Mr. Licata
Mr. Moran
Mr. DiMaria
Please check the school website for updated information. https://www.starpointcsd.org/Page/3845
If you have any questions, please email us.
Mr. Licata- glicata@starpointcsd.org
Mr. Moran- mmoran@starpointcsd.org
Mr. DiMaria- jdimaria@starpointcsd.org
Important Dates
September 8--Virtual Orientation 6 p.m
September 9--SOLA Orientation 9 a.m..
September 9--Link Crew Virtual Freshmen Orientation 6-8 p.m.
September 10--First Day of School Garnet
September 11--First Day of School Gray
October 14--PSAT Test (Register by October 2)
Virtual Freshmen Orientation
Student Drop Offs and Building Access
Drop-offs will be in the front of the building through Driveway D as normal and student drivers will still have to obtain a parking pass. See link below.
What is Virtual Wednesday?
On Wednesdays, all students will follow their 9-period schedule. Attendance is required and families will be contacted if students are absent.
The objectives of Virtual Wednesdays:
Provide an opportunity for live virtual (synchronous) contact between the students and their teachers for the purpose of asking questions, and for teachers to check on the social-emotional well-being of students
Provide an opportunity to work with parents/guardians to address any difficulties the students may be experiencing including attendance.
Virtual Schedule Procedures:
Students regardless of their hybrid team or SOLA status will be required to follow their nine-period schedule and login to each teacher’s Google Hangout / Meet at the scheduled period.
Attendance will be taken and reported at the beginning of each period and counselors and administration will be notified of absent students.
PSAT Test October 14
Extra Curricular Activities
Link Crew
Student Council
Yearbook
Class Advisors (9-12)
The hope is to phase in more activities as the year progresses.
Interscholastic Sports
Restroom Access
Student Locker Use
A Socially Distant Classroom
Cafeteria Changes
Please note:
- Pizza will be available daily in addition to 2 other options.
- Only packaged snacks will be sold after lunches are served
- The cafeteria will not accept cash. All purchases have to be on the My School Bucks. See link below
Temperature Scans
Temperature Scanning for Staff and Students
The District has purchased 7 thermal temperature scanners
Students:
Upon entering the school through the main lobby and Fine Arts Lobby students will be scanned by a thermal temperature scanner which will be monitored by assigned staff.
Any student who scans above the threshold of 100.0 will discreetly be redirected for further COVID-19 screening protocols with a school nurse.
If the student does have a temperature of above 100.0, parents will be contacted and arrangements will be made for the sick student to be picked-up and information provided on where to get a COVID-19 test.
Masks
Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.17 requires anyone venturing out into public places to wear a cloth covering over their nose and mouth whenever social distancing, which is defined as being 6 feet away from another person, is not possible. All students, K-12, will be required to wear a face-covering at all times while on school grounds This extends from the moment students board a bus to the moment they exit the bus on the return home. Within that framework, staff will provide regular mask breaks for students throughout the day. In some instances where classroom density is smaller and social distancing (6 ft. or barriers) can be maintained, students may be allowed to remove their mask while at their individual desk during instruction, and when directed to by faculty/staff.
Face coverings can be cloth face coverings such as a reusable mask, disposable mask, or a neck gaiter. See Protect Yourself and Your Family from Coronavirus (COVID-19) for details regarding face coverings.
Starpoint will comply with all Department of Health regulations regarding face coverings for students and staff.
Mask wearing will be mandatory for all students and staff when they cannot socially distance. (The DOH is strongly recommending that students wear masks in the classroom and have frequent mask breaks.)
Faculty & Staff should plan to provide face-covering breaks when appropriate social distancing can be maintained, such as:
When seated and eating lunch.
During outdoor learning activities (masks will be required to walk to and from the designated area).
In classrooms, when seated at least 6 feet apart working independently at one’s desk, and at the teacher’s discretion
Other opportunities that arise that allow for appropriate social distancing, and at the teacher’s discretion.
Per NYS Department of Health regulations, all students and staff will be required to wear a face-covering unless they have a documented medical condition.
Students that have documented medical documentation will have a special pass notating their documentation.
NYS guidance does not allow for the replacement of a mask with a face shield.
Students who refuse to wear a mask will need to be picked up from school and may return when they agree to comply with this mandatory health and safety regulation.
BOCES
BOCES is offering 5 days a week attendance for their vocational programs. We have been allotted 26 student driving passes for our Seniors and 30 for our Juniors. Mr. Moran has been in communication with Seniors wishing to obtain a driving pass. If you are a Junior, please email Mr. Moran to obtain a driver pass to BOCES.
Students that are enrolled in SOLA need to provide their own transportation to Starpoint in order to get the bus to BOCES.
The Morning bus for BOCES will depart Starpoint at approximately 7:50 a.m. and the bus for the afternoon session will depart at approximately 11:50 a.m. The Junior BOCES students who arrive back to Starpoint at 2:50 p.m. will be provided Zone buses to take them home.
SOLA Orientation September 9th
9th grade: 9:00 a.m.
10th grade: 9:45
11th grade: 10:30
12 grade: 11:15
Overviews, expectations, books, Chromebooks, and any other materials will be distributed at this time. More information to follow.
Class of 2020 Graduation Numbers
- 192 Total Graduates (100%)
- 37% Regents Diplomas
- 62% Advanced Regents
- .5% Local Diploma
- .5% Skills and Achievement Commencement Crediental
Working Papers
Below is the link for downloading the working paper application. Completed applications should be emailed to Mrs. Brogan at mbrogan@starpointcsd.org
Opt-Out and Other Forms
Student progress reports and report cards are posted on Parent Portal and are no longer mailed. In order to receive paper copies through the mail, you must complete the “Parent Portal Opt-Out” form. In addition, the link below will include other forms such as transportation request, early dismissal and working papers.
High School on Twitter & Instagram
Contact Information
Email: jdimaria@starpointcsd.org
Website: starpointcsd.org
Location: 4363 Mapleton Road, Lockport, NY, USA
Phone: (716) 210-2301
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarpointCSD/
Twitter: @starpointcsd