Readying for Return...

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With the end of September upon us, and COVID-19 statistics and data in our region continuing to trend in a safe range, it is time that we set our sights on a return to school for more students. At this point, we are targeting a return date of Monday, October 26 for all students in grades preK-12. If possible, depending on responses to the next round of surveying, we may look to bring students in grades preK-2 back to school on Tuesday, October 13. That determination will need to be made in the next 2 weeks so students, families, and staff can prepare. In order to keep the preparations moving forward, we are in need of an additional round of surveying. While there hasn't been drastic changes in COVID-19 data or situations since August, a families mindset and/or opinions on in-person/remote learning may have changed drastically. In an effort to get the most accurate data and information from which to plan and prepare from, we are asking families to once again complete a brief survey indicating your desire for your student(s) as it relates to in-person or remote learning. Below are some simple points that we ask you to take into consideration when making your decision:

  • Surveys will be released by the end of September and responses are due by Sunday, October 4.
  • Middle school and high school in-person schedules will be a hybrid model due to the buildings not having the capacity for a full return.
  • Elementary school in-person schedules will attempt to be 5 days a week in-person, so long as building capacities can support that demand. If the building capacities can not support the student demand for in-person learning, then elementary schools will also follow a hybrid model.
  • A hybrid model would have students in-person 2 days a week and remote 3 days a week. Wednesday will be a complete remote day preK-12 in a hybrid schedule.
  • Students in buildings will be expected to wear a face covering at all times, with breaks built in throughout the day.
  • Parents should expect that there will be moments when students/staff are closer than 6 feet apart, simply by nature of the need to move throughout the building and/or to participate in learning activities.
  • Remote learning schedules will be adjusted and will not be as rigorous as we are experiencing now. Students who opt for remote only learning will continue to follow a daily schedule, however, the minutes/hours spent online throughout the day will be decreased.
  • If you plan to have your student return for in-person learning, it is imperative that we have accurate contact information.
  • If you plan to opt for all remote learning, please be reminded that a continued all remote option for learning will be binding for at least the remainder of the first semester (end of January).
Again, we are planning to collect this information to assist in the planning phase of bringing more students back to our facilities. The decision for a return to in-person learning experiences will be finalized and communicated on or before Friday, October 9. Once a decision has been determined and it is known which model of in-person learning can be accommodated at the elementary level (full 5 days in person or hybrid), we will also conduct additional community forums for question and answer opportunities similar to the forums that were held in late August. Thank you for your continued collaboration and support as we are getting ready for the return of more students to our facilities. 

COVID School Report Card

You may have seen this week that the Governor's office and the Department of Health released the New York State School COVID Report Card. The information found on the website is a collaboration of data that is received by the State from the school district and the Oneida County Department of Health. This link will take you to the website with the information for the Rome City School District: https://schoolcovidreportcard.health.ny.gov/#/districtData;bedsCodeId=411800


Acceptable Use & Expectations

As you may have been able to expect, during the first two weeks of remote instruction there have been moments of inappropriate behavior or unacceptable use of electronic devices. While the incidents are much more rare than many have expected, there are still important guidelines that students and families need to keep in mind while operating in a remote learning environment. Since the concept of learning through technology is in our profession to stay, it is important that we all remember that etiquette and appropriateness while learning online is important. Please be on the look out tomorrow for an email that has an acceptable use and remote expectations document attached for families and students to review. We appreciate your support and assistance in ensuring that our students, families, and staff are utilizing technology appropriately while participating in remote education.

Thank You Custodians

Each year, October 2 marks National Custodial Worker's Appreciation Day. This coming Friday, please take an extra moment to appreciate the women and men who spend each day working to ensure that our facilities are clean, operational, and safe. Anyone in the profession of education knows that we all learn from a young age that our custodians are the key to our daily success in schools. Without these individuals working every day, often after hours and behind the scenes, we would not be able to complete other tasks related to educating children. On behalf of the entire school district, thank you to our custodial team for everything that you do, each and every day!!

Community Eligibility Provision

We are pleased to inform you that the Rome City School District has been approved for and will implement the Community Eligibility Provision program throughout the rest of the 2020-2021 school year. This means that all students enrolled in school have access to free breakfast and lunch each day during the 2020-2021 school year. Please visit the page below for more information, including links to the forms that help the district maximize reimbursement from the Federal government. https://www.romecsd.org/news_page/community_eligibility_provision

Student Immunizations

Last week was the cut off week for students in NYS public schools to obtain their required immunizations. Moving forward, we are required by law to prohibit students from participating in school. For those students/families that are in this situation, we ask that you please work to obtain the necessary immunizations so that your student(s) can return to learning. As a reminder, New York State has passed a law that no longer allows for the religious exemption for school vaccinations. Also, although we are opening remotely for most students, all laws that are applicable to school related required vaccines are still in effect. While some health related requirements for public school attendance have been modified or relived for the 2020-2021 school year, mandatory vaccinations have not. The link below will take you to the State Education Department website that outlines the required vaccinations. Please speak to your school nurse or family physician if you have any questions regarding any requirements. 

School Immunization Requirements









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