March 1, 2019
Dear Catskill CSD Community:
I personally would like to thank each and every District employee, resident, and student who had a part to do with the February 12, 2019 Capital Project vote. The next phase of the Capital Project is to gather input from several stakeholder groups. After the stakeholder groups have provided input, the plan will be submitted to the State Department of Education for an expedited review. Upon approval by SED, bids will be submitted by contractors. Capital project work is scheduled to begin the summer of 2020. Thank you again!
As we approach the spring season, I want to provide you with an update regarding the utilization of snow days. The District has utilized 5 snow days. School was closed on the following days:
| Day | School Closure Date |
| Day 1 | November 16, 2018 |
| Day 2 | January 22, 2019 |
| Day 3 | January 30, 2019 |
| Day 4 | February 12, 2019 |
| Day 5 | February 13, 2019 |
The District must ensure that we have a total calculation of 180 school days. The District’s calendar currently illustrates a specific sequence of restoration days if there was an over-utilization of more than 5 school days. Moving forward, if there is a need to close school due to a weather-related condition, then school would be open on:
| Scenario | School In-Session Date |
| If one day is needed, then school will be open on | April 26, 2019 |
| If a second day is needed, then school will be open on | April 25, 2019 |
| If a third day is needed, then school will be open on | April 24, 2019 |
| If a fourth day is needed, then school will be open on | April 23, 2019 |
| If a fifth day is needed, then school will be open on | April 22, 2019 |
Please note that April 26, April 25, April 24, April 23 and April 22 are days the District designated for Spring Break. Again, Spring Break would be compromised if there is a need to close school. I will do everything possible to preserve these days, but not at the cost of compromising our students’ safety. Additionally, a 3 hour delay schedule was developed as another method to preserve days. The two hour and three hour delay schedules are listed below.
DELAY SCHEDULE
| Delay | Building | Start Time | End Time |
| 2 Hour Delay | CMS / CHS | 9:35AM | 2:17PM |
| 3 Hour Delay | CMS/ CHS | 10:35AM | 2:17PM |
| 2 Hour Delay | CES | **10:30AM | 3:30PM |
| 3 Hour Delay | CES | **11:30AM | 3:30PM |
**Students are allowed to enter the building at this time at CES. At CES, homeroom begins at 11:05AM on 2 hour delays and 12:05PM on 3 hour delays.
I will continue to provide you with advanced notification regarding school closures and delays. This will help you to prepare for child care and / or other arrangements for your children.
The New York State Assessments for students in Grades 3-8 will be conducted on the following days:
| Assessments | Administration Dates | Make-Up Dates |
| English Language Arts | April 2-4, 2019 | April 5-9, 2019 |
| Mathematics | May 1-3, 2019 | May 6-8, 2019 |
| Science – Written | June 3, 2019 | June 4-7, 2019 |
The District is fully invested to ensure that all students take the 3-8 New York State assessments. Our middle school is designated as a “Targeted Support Intervention / Focus School” primarily due to the student participation rate. We need 100% of our student population to take the assessments. Ninety-five percent is the minimum student participation rate required by SED to appeal to our “Targeted Support Intervention / Focus School” designation.
Operation “Opt-In” is in full effect. Both schools have scheduled parent workshops to review the changes in the assessments. The elementary school’s workshop is scheduled for March 27, 2019 at 6:30pm, in the CES Cafeteria. The middle school’s workshop is scheduled for March 19, 2019 at 5:30pm, in the CMS Auditorium.
In closing, our graduation rate for the 2017-18 school year, which includes our August graduates, was 94 percent. This data demonstrates that our students have the capacity to complete assessments with proficiency. Again, we just need them to take the assessments. The results from the assessments will assist us with the following:
- Appeal to the State Department of Education to remove our schools off the Focus School designation list.
- Serve as a source of data used to provide students with targeted intervention, instruction and enrichment.
As always, if you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at (518) 943-4696.
Regards,
Dr. Ronel Cook
Superintendent of Schools
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