Update from President DiClemente (7-30-20) - DISTRICT REOPENING PLAN

Update from President DiClemente (7-30-20) - DISTRICT REOPENING PLAN
July 31, 2020

This e-mail address is for outgoing messages only.  I look forward to hearing from you, so please e-mail me at dan@bentelocal2419.org. 

RCSD REOPENING PLAN: The District is submitting their reopening plan to the State for approval, with an emphasis on a Hybrid model that would begin with In-Person learning for PreK-4 grades, students with disabilities in specialized  programs in PreK-12, and self-contained programs in PreK-6. Superintendent Lesli Myers-Small has stated that this model will meet the needs of our youngest students and some of our students who demonstrate significant academic and social emotional needs. 

According to the proposed Hybrid model, students in grades Pre-K-4 will include In-Person Instruction for two (2) days and Distance Learning for three (3) days. Students will be split into two groups, with Group A attending school in-person on Mondays and Tuesdays and Group B attending school in-person on Thursdays and Fridays. Remote learning will take place for all students on Wednesdays. 

Students with Disabilities in Pre-K-12 Specialized Programs will attend school four days per week – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday for a four-hour period. These class sizes range from 6 students to 12 students, allowing for social distancing. Instruction provided will align with the needs of each student as outlined in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The Department of Special Education and the administrative staff from Edison, Wilson Commencement, Franklin and East will collaborate to provide oversight and management of the hybrid in-person instruction located at the Edison Campus on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for students in specialized programs grades 7-12 (Edison students: 7:30-11:30am; Wilson, Franklin, & East students: 9-1pm). Students at Northstar will attend school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9am-1pm. 

The plan also speaks of a Hybrid model for students in Grades 7-12, but this model will NOT be implemented until the District can safely transport and accommodate secondary students in their buildings while following social distancing guidelines. The model would consist of four days of in-person learning for 50% of students every other week. Again, this will not take place in Phase One of the reopening of schools. 

The RCSD will continue to provide breakfast and lunch to all students from 9:00-1:00pm Monday through Friday at the following distribution sites: 

  • East High School 
  • Douglass Campus 
  • Franklin Campus 
  • James Monroe Campus 
  • Marshall Campus 
  • School of the Arts 
  • All City High School 
  • Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School Commencement Academy 

Staff members who are in the high risk category as outlined in the guidelines or staff members who live with a family member in the high risk category will need to contact the Benefits Department prior to returning to work. There may be paid or unpaid leaves available for which you qualify. This information changes frequently, so be sure to check before schools reopen.  

Governor Cuomo has until August 7th to declare if schools will be permitted to open. It seems likely that he will allow individual school districts to make their own decisions, as long as they comply with New York State’s Reopening Guidelines. 

Attached is a letter that was just sent to the Superintendent and the Board of Education on behalf of the hardest working members in the District. 

In Solidarity, 

Dan DiClemente, President 
BENTE/AFSCME Local 2419 

If you have an issue or comment, please do not hesitate to e-mail me directly at dan@bentelocal2419.org.

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