Dear Stillwater Community,

I apologize for the many emails each week. As I’ve said before, this a time where many things continue to change daily. I appreciate your patience and support as we work through challenges as a district and as a community. Please take some time to read the following updates.

New Instruction

Beginning Monday, April 6, all teachers will begin new instruction with students in grades UPK-12. This means that teachers will begin introducing new materials through their online platforms. Any new instruction that requires teacher modeling will be recorded for students to watch at their convenience.

For students in grades 6-12, marking period 3 ends Thursday, April 9. All students have the opportunity to increase their marking period 3 progress report grades (distributed March 13) by completing the work their teachers are assigning during this closure. We continue to work locally, with regional considerations, to determine the best way to assess student work. More to come.

Device Pick-up on Monday, April 6

Students in grades K-12 who still need an iPad or Chromebook from the district can pick them up on Monday, April 6 from 10-11 a.m. Pick-up will take place near the Business Office entrance in the bus circle at the Middle/High School.

Local Parade for Families

While we are aware of other local districts putting on parades for their students and families throughout neighborhoods, we have been strongly advised by the Stillwater Police Department and our town supervisor to not have one. This is due to the continued concerns over social distancing, as well as the potential for blocking roads and pulling valuable resources from a possible emergency. Once this pandemic is over, I can promise you that we will be planning a big celebration to bring us all together again. Thank you for your understanding.

Annual Budget Vote and School Board Elections Postponed

According to the governor’s executive order, any school board, library board, or village election scheduled to take place in April or May of 2020 is hereby postponed until at least June 1, 2020, and subject to further directive as to the timing, location or manner of voting for such elections.

Additionally, circulation, filing, and collection of any designating petitions, or independent nominating petitions for any office that would otherwise be circulated or filed pursuant to the Election Law, Education Law or any other consolidated law for any office commencing March 31, 2020 are hereby postponed. This includes petitions for Board of Education candidates.

We will continue to keep the community updated as we learn more.

Sincerely,

Patricia Morris
Superintendent of Schools