Dear Stillwater Community,
I hope you were all able to relax and recharge over the weekend. Thank you for the time you are spending with your children and for setting routines and schedules for them. These routines are critical to their success.
We look forward to opening our doors and renewing 2020. Until the time when we can do so in person, we will continue to provide the best opportunities for engagement and learning that is “virtually” possible. Though the virtual learning environment does not exactly replicate the physical setting of a typical school, we continue to think outside the box to support our students and their learning needs.
Stay Connected
All students who do not have a device had the opportunity to come to campus last week and borrow a Chromebook for home use. Over 65 Chromebooks were borrowed in the middle/high alone! If you do not have a way to connect to online learning and still need a device, you can come to the middle/high bus circle this week Wednesday, March 25 or Friday, March 27 from 10 a.m. until noon to sign out a device. All students should be working on packets (K-5) or online at this point.
WMHT supports at-home learning with on-air and online educational programming
Starting today, our local PBS station, WMHT Public Media, is offering an educational programming block targeted to support in-home learning for students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 while area schools are closed. This programming can supplement the work that has been provided.
From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, WMHT WORLD will offer programming for students in grades 4-12. Each full day line-up will cover a range of subjects including science, math, social studies, history and literature. Check out the schedule here
Food Services
While buildings are closed to staff and the community, we will continue to provide breakfast and lunch to any student in the Stillwater Central School District. Meals may be picked up at the high school in the bus circle from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each pickup will provide two days’ worth of meals. If you plan to pick up meals, please email our Food Service Manager Joan Hopeck at jhopeck@scsd.org or call at (518) 373-6100, ext. 30513 by 9:30 a.m. on the day of pick-up.
State Testing Update
On Friday, March 20, the Chancellor announced the suspension of New York state 3-8 testing.
The Chancellor writes, “It is important that during the time of closure, schools are able to continue to focus their efforts toward local school and community needs, as they have been doing, and not be concerned about State assessments. NYSED has applied for federal waivers for testing, accountability and reporting requirements.”
This suspension applies to the following New York State testing programs:
- NYS Grades 3-8 English Language Arts Test
- NYS Grades 3-8 Mathematics Test
- NYS Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
- NYS Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
- NYS English as a Second Language Achievement Testing Grades K-12
- NYS Alternate Assessment for students with severe cognitive disabilities in Grades 3-8 and high school
Fields and Playground Use Suspended
We are following guidance to stop the spread of coronavirus by temporarily closing our district fields and playgrounds. This is a difficult decision because we encourage you to get exercise and go outside, yet this is in the best interest of our community at this time. Playground equipment can be a germ magnet; fields are invitations for groups to gather. They will reopen as soon as possible and we will let you know once they do.
Thank you for taking the time to read these important updates. Again, all information can be found on our “Coronavirus Updates & Information” page on our district website. Please take some time to rest and relax as much as you can this weekend. I know we all need it. If you have any questions, please reach out to my office or your child’s principal.
Sincerely,
Patricia Morris
Superintendent of Schools