August 10, 2020
Dear Catskill CSD Community:
As per my July 29, 2020 presentation to the Board of Education and the Virtual Town Hall meeting that occurred on Thursday, July 30, 2020, I am recommending a phased reentry of students back into the District. This phased-in approach will allow the District to carefully monitor the infection rate and strategically reenter our students back into the District.
The first day of instruction for Catskill CSD students is Monday, September 14, 2020. All students will start off the school year in a 100% remote platform (Phase I) from September 14, 2020 through October 9, 2020. Students who attend Questar III BOCES specialized programs (i.e., Catskill Academy, CTE Programs, Heavy Equipment, and / or New Visions Program) will begin 100% in-person instruction on September 9, 2020 at the off-site facility. Parents will need to contact Tech Valley High School, and /or out-of-district placement programs for their respective start dates.
Phase II is tentatively scheduled from October 13, 2020 through January 31, 2021. On Tuesday, October 13, 2020, we will slowly reenter our students back into the District on a Hybrid model.
When students are reentered into the District, you will have an option for the Hybrid instruction (2 days of in-person instruction and 3 days of virtual instruction) or 100% Remote instruction (5 days of virtual instruction). Your selection will be “locked in” from the time period October 13, 2020 – January 31, 2021, which means that you cannot change the mode of instruction after the choice is made. We also need to know whether your child will take the bus to and from school, if you are selecting the Hybrid model.
On Friday, August 14, 2020, a video will be posted on the District’s website to demonstrate the new procedures on how the District will operate under the new normal. Please review the video before completing and returning the survey.
In closing, the survey will be mailed home this week. Please complete the survey and return it to the District in the postage paid envelope. You can also place the completed survey in the drop box that is located behind the Superintendent’s Office at 343 West Main Street, Catskill, New York 12414. All surveys must be returned no later than Friday, August 21, 2020. Three Virtual Town Meetings are scheduled for Thursday, August 13, 2020, Tuesday, August 18, 2020 and Thursday, August 20, 2020. All Town Halls will begin at 6:00 p.m. Please check the District’s website for the virtual invitations.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any additional questions or concerns at (518) 943-4696.
Regards,
Dr. Ronel Cook
Superintendent of Schools
Our 2020-21 Reopening Plan an other information is posted to our COVID-19 Response & Resources page.