This page will be updated as information becomes available. Last updated December 2, 2020.
As we have throughout this crisis, our District will continue to follow the guidance and regulations set by state and local authorities that govern how we may safely deliver instruction when classes resume in September.
Reopening of School
Phase 1: All students started the school year in a 100% remote platform that ran from September 14 through October 15, 2020.
Phase II: Runs October 15, 2020 through January 31, 2021, with families having selected an option for 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 is “locked in” from the time period October 15, 2020 – January 31, 2021, which means that you cannot change the mode of instruction after your choice was made.
Phase III: Is tentatively scheduled for February 1 through June 25, 2021. Catskill Central Schools will return students to our traditional “bricks and mortar” model of in-person instruction. Remote instruction will continue for families who want to continue their learning virtually.
- Catskill CSD Reopening of Schools Plan for 2020-21 School Year
- Contact Tracing for Schools – August 14, 2020
- COVID-19 Testing Information – August 14, 2020
- CCSD Virtual Learning Plan – August 14, 2020
- Department of Health Prek-Grade 12 COVID-19 Toolkit – October 2, 2020
District & Building Level Presentations
- Video: Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Reopening School- August 15, 2020
- CES Reopening & Continuity of Learning Presentation – August 15, 18 & 20, 2020
- CMS Reopening & Continuity of Learning Presentation – August 15, 18, & 20, 2020
- CHS Reopening of Schools Presentation – August 15, 18 & 20, 2020
- Video – Virtual Town Hall on Reopening of Schools with Dr. Cook – July 30, 2020
- Reopening Plan Presentation by Dr. Cook – July 30, August 15, 18, & 20, 2020
CCSD Communications/Letters
NYSPHSAA Postpones High-Risk Winter Sports to Jan. 4 (November 17, 2020)
Important Information from Dr. Cook – Travel Advisory Notification (November 16, 2020)
CMS Virtual Wellness Room (October 29, 2020)
Positive COVID Case – Delayed Start of the Hybrid Model (October 10, 2020)
Department of Health Prek-Grade 12 COVID-19 Toolkit – October 2, 2020
Hybrid Instruction for Students – Tuesday, October 13, 2020 (September 30, 2020)
* For earlier communications, please visit our Coronavirus Communications Archive
Athletics
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has moved the start date for winter sports deemed high risk by NYS COVID-19 guidelines to January 4, 2021. NYS has cleared low/moderate risk sports to play, the start date for which is December 14, 2020 for Section 2..
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHAA) moved high-risk fall sports to a condensed “Fall Sports Season II” tentatively starting March 1, 2021. As a result, the start of traditional spring sports has been pushed back to late April, 2021. Read NYSPHAAA Statement.
NYSPHSAA has also provided a Return to Interscholastic Athletic Guide for the 2020-2021 School Year.
The Patroon Conference has released its health and safety guidelines for interscholastic athletics. These guidelines apply to all schools within the conference.
Remote Food Service
During the Hybrid Instruction Model, breakfast & lunch will be available for pick up on Mondays and Wednesdays, at the listed times and locations, free of charge to all Catskill School District students who provide name and/or student lunch pin. For questions or concerns, contact Food Service at 518-943-2300 ext 1413.
Distribution locations:
| 10:30 am – Mountain Turnpike & Caridi Drive 10:45 am – Cauterskill & Paul Saxe 11:00 am – B & B Lounge 11:20 am – Four Seasons Motel, Route 32 11:30 am – Rainbow Cabins, Route 32 11:45 am – Story’s Corners 12:00 pm – Maple Grove & Pennsylvania Ave |
10:25 am – Grandview & Landon Ave 10:45 am – HopONose Apartments 11:00 am – Catskill Community Center 11:25 am – Starlight Motel, Route 9W 11:45 am – Greene Med Arts Pkg Lot 12:00 pm – Leeds Post Office |
State Testing
The NYS Education Department has canceled the January 2021 administration of the High School Regents Examination Program due to the ongoing COVID–19 pandemic. This cancellation applies to all Regents Exams that had been scheduled for the January 2021 Regents Examination period. January Regents Cancelation FAQ.
No decisions have been made regarding the June and August 2021 administrations of Regents Examinations or any of the other State assessment programs.
Celebrating the Holidays Safely
The CDC has provided guidance on how to celebrate the holidays safely at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween
Travel Advisory in Effect
On October 31, 2020, Governor Cuomo revised the State’s position on out-of-state travel and quarantine. The updated requirements went into effect on November 4, 2020.
NYS has issued a Travel Advisory for all U.S. states, with the exception of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Any traveler spending more than 24 hours in any state included in the travel advisory must quarantine for 14 immediately upon their return to NYS. Travelers now have the option to test-out of the mandatory 14-day quarantine by following specific guidelines:
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory
COVID-19 Report Card
New York school districts are required to provide the Department of Health with daily data on the number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in each school. The information is publicly available on a new online dashboard developed by DOH.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hotlines
New York State has established a Novel Coronavirus Hotline which can provide additional information. Call 1-888-364-3065 with questions or concerns about travel and symptoms.
Columbia Memorial Health has also established a Novel Coronavirus Hotline at 518-828-8249.
NYS Office of Mental Health has established a COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-888-863-9314 or https://omh.ny.gov/
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Emergency Preparedness and Response
US Federal Government
Government Response to Coronavirus, COVID-19
New York State
New York State Department of Health – Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Local Departments of Social Services by County
NYS Education Department
NYS Local Health Department Telephone Numbers – If you feel you need to be tested, call your local Department of Health
Protect Yourself from COVID-19 and Stop the Spread of Germs
Greene County
Greene County Department of Health
Greene County Website
Greene County Mental Health
Mobile Crisis Assessment Team – In event of mental health crises
Albany Med EmUrgent Care
Hospitals by County (look up hospitals by county here)
Albany County
Albany Medical Center
St. Peter’s Hospital
Albany Memorial Hospital
Columbia County
Columbia Memorial Hospital
Rensselaer County
Samaritan Hospital
Dutchess County
Northern Dutchess Memorial Hospital, Rhinebeck
Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie
NYSOH Health Insurance Special Enrollment Period
NY State of Health has opened a Special Enrollment Period for people who are uninsured, and has started an awareness campaign to let people know that NY State of Health is there as a safety net during the COVID-19 crisis. Many New Yorkers who are without health insurance are eligible should apply now through NY State of Health. If you lost employer coverage, you must apply within 60 days of losing that coverage. Because of a loss of income, New Yorkers may also be eligible for Medicaid, the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, or subsidized Qualified Health Plan coverage. Visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov for help finding a health care plan that works for you. For questions, contact the Marketplace at 518-486-9102 or NYSOH@health.ny.gov.
Mental Health and Anxiety Resources/Information
NYS Office of Mental Health COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline 1-888-863-9314 https://omh.ny.gov/
NYS has partnered with Headspace to offer New Yorkers free meditation and mindfulness content at www.headspace.com/ny
Taking Care of your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty
5 Ways to Help Teens Manage Anxiety About the Coronavirus
www.gozen.com
www.calm.com
Mini Meditation
Down Dog App, which includes the apps Down Dog, Yoga for Beginners, HIIT, Barre, and 7 Minute Workout, is free until April 1st and has exercises you can do at home
Feeling Anxious Or Worried? Listen To These 8 Podcasts
Coronavirus Anxiety: 4 Ways to Cope with Fear
Help Kids Manage Anxiety around the Coronavirus (3 Expert Videos)
Care for your Coronavirus Anxiety
Expert Offers Practical Advice to Manage Your Coronavirus Anxiety
Helping Children and Teens Cope with Anxiety About COVID-19
How to Talk to your Children/Family about Coronavirus
Talking to Teens and Tweens About Coronavirus
How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus
BrainPop cartoon video explaining Coronavirus
NPR Comic for Kids explaining Coronavirus
Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
Help Your Family De-Stress During Coronavirus Uncertainty
Fear and Anxiety – An Age by Age Guide to Common Fears, The Reasons for Each and How to Manage Them
How to Talk About Coronavirus With Kids
The Yucky Bug – Julia Cook
So You’ve Got Questions about Coronavirus
Talking to Children about COVID-19 (Published by the National Association of School Psychologists)
Activities to do at Home
GoNoodle
BrainPOP
Sumdog Math
Time for Kids (K-6)
PBS Kids
Ideas for Activities During School Closings
Stuck at Home? These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch
ByrdseedTV (Educational Videos)
Flocabulary
NewsELA
Reading Eggs
Epic! Digital Book Library (for kids 12 and under – there is a cost – $7.99/month)
Khan Academy – Online video tutorials in a number of subjects at a variety of grade levels
Libby– a free app! Input your library card information and you have access to the library’s
catalog of free audiobooks and e-books.
For Teachers
Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions due to School Closings
Khan Academy Student Schedules for School Closures
Penguin Classics Classroom
Scholastic Learn at Home: Teaching Remotely for Grades K-12
Scholastic Learn at Home: Free Resources for School Closures
Zoom – free sign up for teachers and students & relevant article
Seesaw
For Parents
A Google Classroom tutorial
Google Classroom explained for parents
A Google Classroom FYI…. Did you know XBoxOne and Playstation 4 BOTH have Google
Classroom apps! You or your child can access Google Classroom on these game consoles as
well as through a laptop, smartphone, or Chromebook.
Connectivity Resources
Free Access to WiFi & Broadband from Spectrum: Spectrum will be offering FREE broadband and WiFi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum subscription. This is designed to ensure that all students have access to theinternet so they may continue their education during this time. All installation fees will be waived. If you or someone you know can benefit from this service please call 1-844-488-8395.
Mid-Hudson Cable has Digital Basic service they will be offering for $19.95 for 60 days.
Their number is 800-342-5400. Or online at http://www.mhcable.net/pricing/
United Way Capital Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund
How You Can Help Others
How You Can Help
Purposity – finds those in need near you
Mental Health Therapists
The following is a list of therapists in our local area. This list is not meant to be a recommendation or
endorsement for a particular clinician.
| Name | City | Phone |
| Lilly Casscles, PhD | Catskill, NY | 518-755-2803 |
| Suzanne Tolemao, LCSW | Leeds, NY | 518-605-0016 |
| Ken Russell, LCSW-R | Catskill, NY | 518-943-0244 |
| Mari Warfel, LCSW | Leeds, NY | 518-618-8868 |
| Craig Lennon, PhD | Catskill, NY | 518-943-4360 |
| Steven Abrahams, LCSW | Woodstock, NY | 845-679-5511 |
| Walter Kendall, PhD | Cairo, NY | 518-719-8873 |
| Marcie Pollit, LCSW | Saugerties, NY | 845-247-4357 |
| Julie Staber, LCSW | West Hurley, NY | 845-679-7500 |
| Richard, Madden, PhD | Catskill, NY | 518-943-1000 |
| Carole Sayle, LCSW, CASAC | Catskill, NY | 518-943-5354 |
| Tim Rodier, LCSW | Kingston, NY | 845-705-9328 |
| Pam Perkins, LCSW-R | Saugerties, NY | 845-616-9087 |
| Patricia O’Neil, LCSW-R | Chatham, NY | 518-929-8511 |
| Greene County Mental Health | Cairo, NY | 518-622-9163 |
| Columbia Memorial Psychotherapy Center | Catskill, NY | 518-697-8010 |
| Choices Counseling | Albany, NY | 518-438-2222 |
| Families Together Counseling | Catskill, NY | 518-719-0123 |
Mobile Crisis Assessment Team
Is an emergency mental health service that can provide emergency mental health assessments. Their services are available 7 days a week from 8am—10pm by calling 518-943-5555.
About COVID-19
Background
2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease that can lead to fever, coughing, trouble breathing and/or shortness of breath. While approximately 80% of cases lead to mild symptoms, there can be life-threatening cases, especially among older adults and those who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease. The virus is likely spread from cough and sneeze droplets, close contact with an infected individual, or by touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Symptoms
According to the Centers For Disease Control (CDC), symptoms of the virus most commonly include fever with dry cough, shortness of breath, and pneumonia. Other symptoms reported include tiredness, headache, runny nose, sore throat, loss of sense of smell or taste, diarrhea, and body aches. Some people may have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all but may still be contagious.
Prevention
There are currently no vaccines available to protect against this new virus. Federal, state, and local health departments recommend these simple steps to help stop the spread of COVID-19:
- Stay home whenever possible.
- Practice social distancing – stay at least six feet from others and avoid large groups.
- If you must go out, wear a mask to cover your mouth and nose.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick and keep your children home if they are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
- Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, such as toys, door handles, cellphones, and countertops.
Additionally, if you or a family member begin showing symptoms of a respiratory illness and suspect it may be COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider before going there and inform them that a case of COVID-19 is suspected, then follow their advice.