Back to School update from Interim Superintendent DeBarbieri

August 6, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

We are one month away from the start of the 2021-2022 school year and I hope you are enjoying your summer break. I want to update you on a few important items that we are working on for the upcoming school year. Please understand this communication is our way of providing some preliminary information.  We anticipate finalizing plans and communicating updates to you more frequently as circumstances change and more guidance is released as we get closer to the first day of school. 

As a district, we are planning and prepared for a full reopening, five days a week for all students this fall. The District will not be operating any Hybrid learning schedule. The first day of school for all students is Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Safety remains our number one priority. We are paying close attention to updates on the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts of variants from local, state and federal sources, and we are reviewing the guidance being offered to us as we prepare for students and staff to return.

Here are frequently asked questions we have been working to address. As we await more guidance from local officials, some answers are subject to change. 

Will students be required to wear masks?

We recognize this is an important topic for parents and guardians as we prepare for the school year. We have heard concerns from community members on both sides of the issue. It remains uncertain what local officials may suggest on the issue. What we do know is that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that everyone older than 2 years old wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. At this point we do not have an official policy on masks for students or staff. We will continue to review this topic as we approach the first day of school and await more guidance.   

Will remote learning be an option for students?

Our District will not be offering the same remote learning option that we offered during the 2020-21 school year, but we do recognize that some families may require alternative instruction due to documented student medical needs. The District will utilize its already established process for requesting alternative instruction due to medical needs.  If your child has medical needs, please contact your school’s principal by Friday, August 13th to request the alternative instruction application. Homeschooling is another option for families who want an alternative setting for learning. To learn more about home instruction, visit the OCM BOCES website.

Will early drop off for students be available?

The District plans to offer early drop-off for students similar to the 2020-21 school year to maintain reasonable school bus capacity.  At  the elementary schools drop-off will be held from 7:45 to 8:15 a.m. At Ray Middle School, drop-off will be 7:00 to 7:25 a.m. At Durgee Jr. High School and Baker High School, drop-off will be 7:00 to 7:30 a.m.  We are not planning for any early dismissal of students. Each school building will communicate dismissal procedures and times prior to the start of school. If you plan to not utilize our school transportation system for your students and transport your own children to and from school each day, please complete this questionnaire by Friday, August 13, 2021. If you are planning to utilize district transportation you are not required to complete the questionnaire.  

Will students be required to pay for breakfast and lunch during the 2021-22 school year?

No. All enrolled students will receive breakfast and lunch at no charge for the 2021-22 school year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended its flexibilities granted to school meal programs to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost for all enrolled students, regardless of family income. 

As more guidance is released by the county, we will continue to release updates before the start of the school year. Please check your email and check our website for more information.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.  

Enjoy the rest of your summer. See you soon!

Sincerely,

Joseph M. DeBarbieri, Interim Superintendent of Schools