March 27, 2020

Dear Laurens Central School Students, Parents, Faculty, Staff and Community,

We have made it through another week of one of the most unique situations our community and country has ever dealt with. Who would have thought a virus could shut down our way of life with such significance?

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience, understanding and hard work during this unprecedented time. Our school community has done an excellent job coming together to ensure that our students continue their education and receive quality meals.

As you may already know the Governor has closed school until April 15^th, 2020. With this closure comes an unexpected yet required shift to home instruction. As a result, our school and our teachers have given great thought to how student work would be assessed for the third quarter and how we will be moving forward for the next several weeks.

As was shared via our Instant Alert system and was posted on our website on March 16^th, 2020, the District ended the 3rd quarter on March 12^th, the last day school was in session. All students are responsible for the work due up to and including March 12th. 

The work students have completed from home since that date will be considered supplemental to the work they did in school and will not count negatively against them. We will, however, be collecting and providing helpful feedback to students on the work completed. Please note that any assignments that were due on or by March 12^th, the last day of in-school instruction, are still expected to be turned in and will be graded. That work, along with the work completed after that date can be submitted to the main office or electronically to your child’s teacher and is due by April 13^th.

As a reminder, teachers prepared educational packets for students, up to and including April 3^rd. After that we have the April break, with school hopefully resuming on April 15^th. Teachers will be using this time to prepare additional educational packets for students. These packets will be ready for distribution on April 13^th. Should school not resume on the 15^th, teachers will have prepared a second round of packets which will be ready for distribution at that time.

Until then, I ask that all parents and students continue to reach out to their teachers. Please read through the information that has been provided on previous dates as it contains valuable information for all.

In closing, I hope you all have a relaxing weekend. I understand we are supposed to have some nice weather. Get out, enjoy the sunshine, a walk or a bike ride. Our area is beautiful, and I hope you are able to enjoy it!! Missing you all.

Mrs. Wenck

March 24, 2020

Good Evening,

It is my hope that this update finds you well and enjoying a bit more family time than is normally available.  I have a lot of information to share with you today; information about how our District is working to create the best learning environment possible for our students, given the coronavirus situation. Please excuse the use of bulleted points.  It helps to more easily share as many items as possible!

*     Educational packets:  At this point in time we have decided to hold off on the making of a second round of educational packets for students/parents.  While the packets may have value, I am not so certain that they are accomplishing all that was originally intended. For some they might be, but not for all.  Please know that I am not saying that we will never be putting packets together again.  I am not saying that.  I am saying, however, not at this time.  Teachers were to give students work up to the spring break and then we have the actual break itself.  Let's wait and see what happens at that time as the State is now starting to focus on the impact the closures are going to have on new instruction.  

*    Communication with students and Parents:  We have asked that all teachers communicate with their students and/or parents, on a frequent basis.   Many teachers have shared with me that their students/parents have not been in contact with them, whether it be via email, 365, Class DoJo, whatever.  Please discuss this with your child and call the teacher or school if you are having difficulty connecting.  I do know that some parents are looking for more ideas to do with their child.  Please see below for a list of ideas:

Also, Guidance counselors and service providers, such as OT, PT and Speech Therapists are reaching out to their students.  We hope that is a help to you and your child. 

*     Use of Technology:

- ZOOM:  We are in the process of setting up ZOM accounts for all teachers.  This will enable teachers to communicate directly with you and your child.  This technology could also be used for CSE and other meetings, as appropriate. 

- Microsoft 365:  In addition, all students, grades 6-12, in our building, have a Microsoft 365 account.  Microsoft 365 has the capability for teachers to set up "classroom teams" which can be used to provide whole/partial group instruction.    We are in the process of training teachers to use the program to help provide for going instruction in the days to come.    

-Technology survey: The use of technology is only as effective as the people it reaches and serves.  We have developed a basic survey and put it up on our website.   I encourage parents to check out the website for the purpose of seeing what we are posting there in addition to completing the survey.

The following are suggestions for parents looking for more to do with their child or who are perhaps struggling with the content that has already been sent home.  Check them out!!

*     Engage NY has ton's of resources for parents
*     Khan Academy - especially for students in Regents courses
*     PBS – Most students have a TV at home and there are many wonderful programs on PBS. 
  *     Sesame Street - For those little ones, Sesame Street every day for an hour - awesome!!
*     Look up zoos and museums on-line - many have free virtual tours (state & national levels)
*     Use of our school library website:  Electronic Books via “over drive”
*     Parents of Elementary students:  I encourage you to spend time reading to and with your children.   Remember, actual instruction in a school day on ELA, Math, Science and social Studies is about 3 hours, not 6.5.  Include outdoor play, (PE), arts and crafts (Art Class), play music and sing (music class/lessons).  
*     Parents of High School Students:  Encourage your child to spend up to 4 hours a day (6 credits/classes times 40 minutes per class = 240 minutes or 4 hours of instruction) reading, writing, working on math and science.  This time should also include fitness activities, work on Art projects and practicing an instrument. 

I know this is a lot of information, but I hope you found it useful.  Please call the school if we can be of assistance to you. 

Stay well, stay home, and take care of yourself and those you love. 
 
Hoping to see you all soon!!

Mrs. Wenck