Coronavirus Updates...

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As we enter into the second month of school closure, some of the questions that have been brewing are starting to be answered. While there are many unknowns, including when this is going to end, there are some important topics that we are beginning to have clarity on. Most importantly, it appears as if we are at the onset of what many experts believe to be the worst weeks for Upstate New York. Regardless of all else, please continue to follow the advice of our medical professionals and take care of each other. Below, please find some basic informational updates for you. A complete source of information related to this current situation can be found on our COVID-19 dedicated website at: https://sites.google.com/romecsd.org/rcsdcovid-19updates/home.

WHEN DO SCHOOLS RE-OPEN: As of now, the Governor has all NY State schools until April 29, 2020. This is the number question that we continue to receive and unfortunately, we do not have an answer beyond that. The Governor has taken over complete control of the opening/closing of schools and is leveraging the 180-day law against schools who make decisions without his approval. Please know that the Governor has made it clear that he intends to make decisions on school closure in 2-week intervals.

2019-2020 TAX COLLECTION: In collaboration with the City of Rome, the Rome City School District has extended the due date for the collection of 2019-2020 school taxes to May 30, 2020.

BOARD OPERATIONS: As of now, all previously planned/scheduled Board of Education operations are still planned to continue. The Board of Education is conducting business virtually through GoogleMeet. Meeting links will be posted on the top of the agenda and video of the meeting will be available on the district's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8BoYZyGLUorkU1Ec_YP20w) following the meeting.

FOOD SERVICES: Meals are currently available, Monday through Friday, at any of our elementary schools between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., and at the South Rome Senior Center, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

STUDENT WORK/ASSIGNMENTS: Our staff has been working tirelessly for the past 2 weeks to prepare to leverage the power of technology with their instruction. We have launched our iLearning program and students should be receiving new material from their teachers. The basic needs of our students, families, and staff continue to be our top priority through this event and we recognize that learning will look different for each students. Students who need traditional paper materials and/or feel that there are not receiving items, should contact their teacher(s) first to find a solution. If the teacher is unavailable, please contact the building principal. Paper assignments/materials will be available for those that need. For a complete viewing of our district's iLearning Plan, you can visit our website here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16dzZUyVIOkgY9DMTi-4rDepF2YKIGuNp/view

GRADUATION: At this time, there is no new information regarding graduation. The largest barrier to graduation currently is the requirement to limit mass gatherings. The requirements related to mass gatherings will ultimately dictate the date and method by which our graduation ceremonies are performed.

REGENTS EXAMS/3-8 ASSESSMENTS: All Regents Exams and 3-8 Assessments for the spring of 2020 have been canceled. Any student who is enrolled in a course that is attached to a Regents Exam will automatically be given credit for passing the exam, so long as they are able to successfully pass the course. The State Education Department has recommended for years that Regents Exams bear no weight on a student’s final yearly grade, and this philosophy is where this decision came from. For course credit, students who have successfully completed the assigned material and learning standards that were taught prior to the closure, or after reopening (if school resumes) will be assessed toward determination of course credit. A student who has a passing grade during those time frames will be awarded course credit for that given course.

CHROMEBOOKS: At this point in time, we are no longer able to honor new Chromebook requests. We have begun a second round of online registrations for those families still in need. A link to that registration form can be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevfCoNepzrr6k_UMuw5yM0AvZSXLtMzviehcX7W8omuMmrrg/viewform . For families registering in round two, we will contact them when devices become available. There are many families who have yet to pick up their Chromebook from round one of deployment and who completed the registration process 3 weeks ago. For those families, we are still available for pick-up Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

2020-2021 BUDGET/ELECTIONS: As of now, the State has moved all school budget votes and elections to no earlier than June 1, 2020. While the Governor has released an initial set of school aid runs, the State Department of Budget has reserved the right for mid-year adjustments to these figures. For this reason, schools have been cautioned against building a budget prior to May 1, because that is the closing of the first adjustment period. Budget advisors from around the State are warning districts to prepare for a 5% decrease in State Aid from the current figures. We are also cautioned to not count on the Federal Stimulus money as the State can apply for a waiver with the Federal government allowing them to control the direction of the money. What that COULD mean for Rome is an additional $4 million in lost revenue for 2020-2021. Regardless of figures, when the budget is completed, it will be presented publicly through the district's YouTube channel.

HELPFUL LINKS/INFORMATION :The following links have been provided by the CDC to help all members of our community be educated and prepared.
https://www.cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-interventions/index.html - CDC link on how to protect yourself and others from respiratory illnesses being spread within the community.  There is a section specific to schools and worksites. 
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html - CDC link to Coronavirus updates
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/ - NYS DOH link to Coronavirus updates

RFA Virtual Spirit Week


Rome Free Academy will be holding a virtual spirit week this week, April 13 - 17. We encourage all community members to participate in this event and spread some joy throughout our student population. 

Child Care Needs

One of the Governor’s recent orders requires the school district to coordinate with local agencies to provide day care services to essential employees who are required to work during this time. We are continue to canvas the community for need. This is the message that has been sent out regionally, “During this current health crisis you may be considered an essential employee who is still required to work. Child care placement may be available to essential employees who work in health care, are first responders, who work in grocery stores, in transportation, some construction fields, certain non-profit agencies and in food or supply distribution fields.” If you believe that you may qualify, or if you know someone who may qualify and has a need, please call the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison Child Care Resource Center at 315-223-7850 extension 222. They are working to organize this effort on behalf of our entire region.

Technology Support

During this time, we recognize that people need support of all kinds. If your student(s) is still in need of a Chromebook, we ask that you complete our online request form here: Chromebook Sign Up Form . Chromebooks are available for pick-up at the District Office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday's from 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. Unfortunately, with minimal staff and the need to address legal requirements related to this closure, we will not be able to assist folks outside of those hours. Also, please note that we can not provide technology support for families or individuals with problems people are experiencing with their personal devices. Finally, username and password info for your student's Chromebook can be obtained by emailing Studentaccounthelp@romecsd.org.  Please include your child's name and the building they attend. If a student has forgotten their username/password for any of the programs the district currently operates, please send an email to the building specific email addresses below and our staff will work together to help that child regain access. Your classroom teacher may also be able to help with some of these barriers.



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