Frequently Asked Questions about the 2020-21 Horseheads District Plan
Will there be COVID testing in our schools as Governor Cuomo suggested in his statements August 3?
No. On August 5, the Governor’s Office clarified the statement the Governor made, stating that school districts would work with local health departments in the event testing is needed. This was information the district was aware of prior to the statement. We will continue to work in partnership with the Chemung County Health Department on any health issues related to the pandemic.
Will schools be open in 2020-21?
Yes – in a limited capacity. By order of Governor Cuomo, the re-opening of schools in any format is contingent upon our region’s 14-day COVID-19 infection rate remaining below 5%. The Governor will use this formula to make the decision about the status of schools the first week of August. The district must submit its plan to the state by July 31 and post it on the district’s website. The plan must include separate sections demonstrating our ability to meet three educational formats within the state’s guidelines: 100% in-person instruction, 100% remote/online learning, and a hybrid of these two models. The format(s) selected for implementation are up to districts. Districts must meet the state’s extensive safety and health requirements, which include social distancing, in order to open schools. This is why we must open in a limited capacity.
Please note: If at any time after August 1 a region’s infection rate rises above 9% over a seven-day average, Governor Cuomo has required that all school buildings close until he makes the determination to return students to schools. Instruction during this time of closure would continue with all students completing remote/online instruction.
How did the district formulate its plan?
A large group of district stakeholders and staff members analyzed the New York State Education Department’s requirements in Recovering, Rebuilding, and Renewing: The Spirit of New York’s Schools Reopening Guidance. the July parents/guardian survey, and other resources to create action plans for the school year, in accordance with state mandates. Teachers, parents, community members, district staff, and administrators served on five committees: Health and Safety/Facilities, Social Emotional Well-Being, Instructional, Nutrition, and Transportation. Each committee was tasked with reviewing the mandated actions that the district must meet to reopen and developed action steps and recommendations for implementation. A group of high school students also provided input. The work from all committees was used to determine the safest and most feasible option for our schools, both instructionally and operationally, aligning with the state’s requirements.
Instructional Options
What are the options for instruction this year?
Currently there are two options for students: 100% remote/online learning or a district-designed hybrid model. Parents must choose one option for each of their children for the year, unless otherwise determined by the Governor. Failure to respond to the district’s questionnaire and follow-up communications will result in a student being placed in the 100% remote/online learning format.
In creating our plan, committee members strongly agreed on two priorities: that students have an equal opportunity for authentic learning experiences that meet the needs of the whole child, and that we create a culture and climate that allows students and staff to feel safe and promotes their well-being. We will slowly transition the timeline to ensure that all staff and students feel safe as we prepare for the new school year.
[Please note: if a parent/guardian does not wish to choose either option, the student must then be home-schooled and a home school plan must be submitted to the district, or enrolled in a nonpublic or charter school.
Why wasn’t in-person instruction the format selected for all students?
During the development phase of our plan, our Health & Safety and Facilities Committee reviewed and considered the number of students and staff allowed to return in-person using these factors as required by the state, along with other factors: Ability to maintain appropriate social distance, PPE and face mask availability, availability of safe transportation, and local hospital capacity. Based on these factors, a 100% in-person format was determined to be not feasible or advisable during this stage of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the mandated requirements for social distancing in buildings and on district transportation, the availability of staff, and the capacity of our school buildings, our district does not have the ability to bring all students back to buildings every day.
If a family has multiple children, can a parent choose one format for one child and another format for another child?
Yes.
Will this decision be for the entire school year?
The state has instructed us to prepare for the entire school year; therefore, at this time, the decision on format is for the entire school year. This is subject to the Governor’s direction.