As you are aware, the North Rockland Central School District has used our three (3) emergency closing days that were built into the 2021-2022 District Calendar. On each of these inclement weather days, the District utilized a traditional snow day and did not have remote instruction for students.

Moving forward, it is my intent to use “Remote Learning Days” when it is determined that weather conditions warrant a school closure. To prepare for the possibility of Remote Learning Days, you should remind your child to:

1. Bring home their devices daily
2. Ensure that they have a private place in your home to participate in school
3. Have access to internet connectivity.

Those whose children do not have internet access should complete the form linked here to be assigned a hot spot.

***Please note that while it is my intent to utilize Remote Learning Days when appropriate, certain factors such as widespread power outages may prohibit the District from doing so on specific days. I would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation and support in ensuring that the District is prepared for all learning possibilities throughout the remainder of the winter.

The District continues to be afforded an extensive supply of free Rapid Home Antigen test kits that the Rockland Department of Health (RCDOH), in cooperation with our partners at Rockland BOCES, has delivered to be distributed to all interested North Rockland families.

Requested test kits can be picked up with photos id at our testing site at 65 Chapel Street, Garnerville Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am to 7pm. You will see signs for COVID testing. Please pull up to that area and a security guard will assist you. Test kits will also be available at various District events.

***Please note these tests cannot be used as clearance to return to school or work if an individual is symptomatic. A student or staff member who was symptomatic can only return to school or work with a written report from a rapid antigen test, PCR test, or a doctor's note with an alternative diagnosis.

Schooling in 2022 is both high-tech and high-touch.

With the rise of remote learning, the District's transition to utilizing edtech enabled our school community to maintain learning through unimagined uncertainty and interruption.

Chrome books are now a vital resource for instruction. 1-on-1 technology has become standard, many students bring their devices with them daily. Wear-and-tear and mishaps are going to happen. In North Rockland, the District replaces the device if there's a problem. "It's not at the cost of the individual child or family."

The district built in a buffer with extra devices for damaged, broken and lost devices and took precautions to stem damage. NR also passed out cases, or skins, to help keep Chromebooks safe and teachers talk about proper care. Younger kids don't have to bring them in every day.

"Losing some devices is part of the cost of doing business in this way," Superintendent Dr. Kris Felicello said. "Previously kids would lose textbooks."

Felicello added that "We didn’t feel it would be in our community’s best interest to track down those families" whose kids turned in broken devices. "Economic struggles are magnified during a pandemic."

Thank you to Journal News/lohud Journalist Nancy Cutler for speaking with our Superintendent about the Districts' policy. Full article link.

The Board of Education and Administration, District and Superintendent have a shared goal to provide our students with an exemplary experience while controlling taxes for our community. We understand the fiscal challenges that living in Rockland County pose which is why they are collaboratively working to control taxes for the third consecutive year. The latest 2022-23 school budget presentation can be found linked here.

As always, our budget fully supports the curriculum, instruction, and professional development that addresses the needs of all learners. Our budget also includes the expanded use of certain “green technologies” and facility improvements to enhance our learning and working environments while achieving real cost savings. The District is planning and analyzing the best approach to utilize COVID and Capitol funds to upgrade facilities and opportunities for students. These include:

• Outdoor learning spaces

• Climate control and upgraded air filtration

• Athletic facility upgrades

• Summer programs

• Before and after school programs

• Expanded fields trips

• Expanded course offerings

• Work study programs

Stayed tuned there is more to come on this groundbreaking, exciting work and what our five year plan will look like soon!

The word of the day is.. success!

Can you use it in a sentence?.. "The #RedRaiders had tremendous success onstage at North Rockland's Spelling Bees!"

This year marked the return of one of our favorite #NR traditions, the District's in-person Spelling Bees! Today, Haverstraw Elementary hosted our third and final upper elementary bee for 2022.

Over the last two weeks of resumed competition at #HES, Farley and Willow Grove Elementary, grades 4,5, and 6, learners have been fiercely facing challenging rounds of spelling and vocabulary questions with special spectators in attendance. Other supporters were able to cheer on the spellers from their classrooms “Watch Parties” complete with treats and popcorn as the event was also live-streamed to the entire student body.

The last competitor standing took home the trophy, the title, and the glory of being crowned the best speller in each school. The top finishing students from each grade level also will move on to the #NRCSD Championship Spelling Bee coming up on March 8. The winner of that championship will earn an all expenses paid spot to move on to the regional competition in Washington DC.

Congratulations to our WINNERS:

Farley - David Douge

Willow Grove - Paige Patterson

Haverstraw - Mahibah Waheedullah

Up next are the lower elementary bees, which kick off next week. So.. stay tuned!

Use the links below to have your own watch party #NRTogether!

FES Bee - https://youtu.be/atArwyW3nxQ

HES Bee - https://youtu.be/gcMouLJ7Aw8

WGES Bee - https://youtu.be/vlGzy0kBsXk

More photos linked here.

Spring break is right around the corner! As you plan your vacation activities, remember to think of your impact on the environmental, local businesses, and the community.

Tips:

1.Transportation - Going on a trip? Rent hybrid vehicle or bike to get around. Opt for your bike when traveling around town too. Carpool when you can!

2. Activities - Try to plan low-impact activities such as: biking, hiking, canoeing, paddle boarding, swimming, unplugging, going outside and more are less harmful on the environment.

3. Camping - Camping is a great low-impact way to enjoy a vacation!

4. Prep - Before leaving on a trip, be sure to close your blinds, unplug appliances, and turn down your heat to save on energy

5. Choose Reusable - Pack lunches in reusable containers and beverages in reusable bottles to avoid waste as you travel!

Be on the lookout for the 22-23 Universal Pre-K Program and the Full Day Pre-K program applications that will be posted on northrockland.org starting next week and will be accepted from January 31 - Mach 31. The program begins in September for children who will be four years old by December 1, 2022, and live in district. Children in UPK attend five (5) half days for 2½ hours each day; Children in Statewide Full-Day Prekindergarten attend five (5) days a week for 5 hours each day for 180 days per school year, at no cost to you. Parents have a choice of several center locations throughout the county. Please note that transportation is not provided. There are limited slots.

In recent weeks there have been several changes to the guidance, protocols, and mandates regarding the management of COVID. NR has implemented the following updated guidance for our schools.

Quarantine:

Quarantine is for individuals who have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus through close contact with someone who is infected, but has not tested positive for COVID-19 and does not have symptoms.

What has changed in regards to quarantines?

• The quarantine period has been reduced from ten days to five days.
• Students who we can not confirm had direct contact will not be required to quarantine; however, they will be notified that they may have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID.
• Students who are fully vaccinated will not be required to quarantine unless they experience symptoms.
• Students who are not fully vaccinated will be required to quarantine for five days from their point of exposure if they do not experience symptoms. They should be sure to wear a well fitted mask in public spaces for five additional days from their quarantine.

This adjustment will primarily affect school transportation and unstructured locations such as lunch rooms. Under the previous requirements, any student who was suspected of being a direct contact were mandated to quarantine, causing many students to miss time at school even though they may not have been exposed.

North Rockland will notify parents if an individual on their child’s bus has tested positive. Those students will not be required to miss school if they remain symptom free. In these situations, we will ask parents to closely monitor their symptoms and avoid coming in contact with high risk folks.

Isolation:

Isolation is for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, even if they don't have symptoms.

How long must my child remain out of school if they are required to Isolate?

• Isolation ends after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation​).

• After leaving your isolation, you must continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.

• Students may return to physical education and/or athletics after their isolation period ends with a doctor’s note. Students unable to obtain a doctor's note may return 10 days after isolation as long as they have not been treated with prescribed medication for COVID-19 or were admitted to the hospital.

It is North Rockland's philosophy to adjust our plan after information provided has been vetted. In the weeks to come, our COVID management strategy may change based on the information that is provided and what makes sense for our school community.