PQ Tuesday Newsday
January 12th, 2021
Weekly Thoughts
We are ten months into this pandemic and, as predicted, we are in a difficult period. We are all growing tired of remote learning, isolation from friends and family, as well as the challenges related to keeping our families safe and our need for a predictable routine. During times of great stress, we all have to dig deep to remember that we are all experiencing this pandemic together. We must also remember that while we may be experiencing some difficulties, others may be suffering more than we may know. We know that some of you are experiencing stress, anxiety, loss, or lack of food, and we are working as hard as we can to provide support and resources to whoever needs them. We know that some are concerned about the academic progress your children are making due to the hybrid model or disruptions to learning. We appreciate the fear some families have about even sending their children to school. These are heavy times….you are struggling; we are struggling.
I am hoping we can all remember that whether we are families in the district or employees of the district:
Some of us are suffering the loss of loved ones to COVID or for reasons unrelated to COVID,
Some of us are struggling with child care needs within the district or when other districts close for remote learning,
Some of us are seriously ill with COVID or other medical issues that require medical treatment,
Some of us have family members who are suffering serious medical conditions unrelated to COVID who require time to attend doctor appointments with that family member,
Some of us are the primary caregivers to elderly or disabled family members who require time to care for them,
Some of us are afraid…..concerned for our own health, our student’s health, and the health of our family members. This fear can be overwhelming,
Some of us have job demands that make the unpredictability of our children’s schedules a major stress in our lives,
Some of us have children who are struggling….from all of the above!
Moving forward, we will continue to find ways to keep our students in school. Our young students require supervision at all times…..we can’t cancel class and send them to a study hall or to the library. We have students with disabilities who require high levels of support each and every day.
We will be prioritizing supervision needs. Having our students in school is the highest priority which means other priorities may become secondary. We cannot maintain all non-mandated services if the goal is to keep school open. Some remote learning opportunities may become asynchronous for a day in order to keep school open. Remedial services may be cancelled for a day so that we can cover a classroom. Specials may be cancelled or may be asynchronous to accommodate in-person learning at school. We may even ask to keep a single class to stay home and learn remotely if that allows us to keep the rest of the building open. More information on this for the remainder of the week will be forthcoming this evening.
We were excited to learn that vaccinations are now being offered to educators. Many of us have already made appointments for the first dose of the vaccine. This will provide your children as well as the staff with an added protection and greater possibilities of a more consistent school experience. However, this, too, requires us to provide time for teachers and staff to get the vaccine. This all takes time and flexibility.
Please continue to help keep us all safe…...complete the daily COVID questionnaire, supply your child with appropriate masks, encourage and practice social distancing, wash your hands, bake cookies, take time to talk about things important to your children/family, play outside. We will get through this…..let’s try to do it together!
Kindly,
Mary Johnson and Stephanie Bell
Information from our School Nurses
UPDATED QUARANTINE GUIDELINES FOR EXPOSURE TO COVID-19 *NEW
Consistent with recent CDC guidance, quarantine for individuals exposed to COVID-19 can end after ten (10) days without a testing requirement if no symptoms have been reported during the quarantine period.
- Individuals must continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14;
- Individuals must be counseled to continue strict adherence to all recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions, including hand hygiene and the use of face coverings, through Day 14.
- Individuals must be advised that if any symptoms develop, they should immediately self-isolate and contact the local public health authority or their healthcare provider to report this change in clinical status and determine if they should seek testing.
These quarantine requirements are also applicable to travelers who are not essential workers and/or who did not complete the testing requirements described in Executive Order 205.2.
UPDATED TRAVEL GUIDELINES / RESTRICTIONS
NY State regulations for all travelers returning to New York from all states other than the contiguous states of New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, as well as from Level 2 and 3 Countries on the CDC list and U.S. Territories:
- If out-of-state travel has been for more than 24 hours, testing for COVID-19 must be conducted within 72 hours before returning to New York; and
- Upon arrival in New York, a person must quarantine in accordance with DOH standards for at least three (3) days, measured from the time of arrival in New York, and on the fourth day after return to New York, they may seek a COVID19 test to exit quarantine.
- Two negative tests are required to exit the quarantine (the one before departure from the out-of-state locations and the one after day three of return to New York)
- If out-of-state travel has been for less than 24 hours to places other than in a contiguous state (as described above), testing before departure from New York and mandatory quarantine upon return is not required, but the traveler must complete the traveler form upon return and must be tested for COVID-19 on the fourth day after arrival in New York.
For additional information, please see the DOH Interim Guidance, dated November 3, 2020, available at:
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/11/interm_guidance_travel_advisory.pdf
Schools are required to follow this new advisory and therefore, this applies to students, faculty, and staff. For those who wish to forego "testing out" of quarantine, the option to quarantine still remains and the new guidance noted above should be adhered to from the NY State Dept. of Health.
Kindergarten Registration and Kindergarten Readiness Meeting
UPDATE: Kindergarten Registration is an ongoing process....please complete the paperwork sooner than later if you are considering kindergarten for your child. However, we will accept Kindergarten registration papers at any time.
Kindergarten registration for the upcoming 2021/2022 school year will virtual. Parents/Guardians can complete the Kindergarten Registration paperwork and either email it to Jean Jerussi at jjerussi@northsalemschools.org or drop it off at the school - Attention: Jean Jerussi. Please complete the forms and return them to PQ at your earliest convenience. People dropping off registration forms can do so between 8:45 am and 3:30 pm.
For further information, please refer to the registration letter at the beginning of the paperwork on the website. Feel free to share this information with anyone you know with potential kindergarten students. Contact Jean Jerussi if you have any questions.
We will be holding a virtual Kindergarten Readiness Meeting for parents. This will be a virtual meeting on Thursday, January 21st from 7-8:00 pm. There is a meeting link in the flyer below. Please use this to log on to the meeting that evening. All are welcome to attend especially if you are not sure if your child is ready for kindergarten.
Upcoming Building Events
January 12 - PTO Meeting 7pm
January 14 - Coffee With Principals 7-8pm NEW DATE
February 3 - Report Cards Posted
February 4 - Coffee With Principals 9-10am
February 9 - PTO Meeting 9-11am
February 15 - Winter Recess
February 22 - School Reopens
February 24 OR 26 - Picture Retakes (Date will be finalized that week when we have a better idea of the weather)
School Links
Community Links
A Glimpse into Our Halls
About Us
173 June Road
North Salem, NY 10560
Website: northsalemschools.org
Location: 173 June Road, North Salem, NY, USA
Phone: 914-669-5317