IMPORTANT UPATE: Post-Thanksgiving/post-Winter recess Little Britain instructional schedules announced

Dear Washingtonville School Community:

As we continue to navigate our way through the realities of an ongoing pandemic environment and the increase in COVID-19 positivity cases, Washingtonville, like other districts, continues to address the impact the pandemic is having on our community and schools.

Our administrative team, faculty and staff regularly assess and further refine the district’s reopening plan, based on our conversations and experiences with our students as they learn in a hybrid model. We know these have been extremely difficult and stressful times, particularly for many of our students and their families who have been faced with quarantine as well as medical and financial hardships.  We remain extremely grateful for your support and cooperation as we work together. 

However, out of an abundance of caution and based on the strong recommendation of the Orange County Department of Health, along with a regular review of other important metrics, the district will “pause” our hybrid instructional model and shift instruction to a full remote learning schedule after the upcoming Thanksgiving and Winter recess breaks. 

Letter from Dr. Irina Gelman, Orange County Department of Health Commissioner 

Please know our staff has been fully prepared for a scenario like this and will continue to do everything necessary to ensure your child’s academic success. We applaud the work that is being done by our faculty, students and families during these unprecedented times. 

This “pause” of in-person instruction following the Thanksgiving and Winter breaks allows families to make their own decisions regarding isolation, testing and social gatherings without negatively impacting our district. 

Here’s the instructional model schedule for the coming weeks: 

       Nov. 25, 2020 to Nov. 27, 2020: Schools closed for Thanksgiving break

       Nov. 30, 2020 to Dec. 7, 2020: The district will operate on a full remote schedule.     

                Elementary school schedule                 

       Dec. 8, 2020  to Dec. 23, 2020: The district will operate on its regular hybrid instructional model. Students will return to school in-person following their hybrid cohort schedule.      

       Dec. 24, 2020  to Jan. 1, 2021: Schools closed for Winter Break      

       Jan. 4, 2021 to Jan. 11, 2021: The district will operate on a full remote schedule.  

       Jan. 12, 2021: The district will operate following its regular hybrid instructional model.          Students will return to school in-person following their hybrid cohort schedule.      

Please know this decision was made after a very careful and thoughtful review of current conditions, which included consultations with OCDOH and other authorities. We feel this is in the best interests of our students, staff and greater Washingtonville  community.  

As we transition into a full remote model, we are sharing our updated instructional plans for the coming weeks now to give families the time to make the necessary accommodations needed for this schedule modification. Please reach out to your child’s building principal and teacher with any questions you may have. 

During this time we will continue to provide meals for our students. All meal orders for our high school and middle school students will be  picked up at the side entrance of the Middle School. Meals for our elementary students will be picked up at the respective elementary schools. All meals will be available for pick up from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Please be sure to place your meal orders the night before by 11 p.m. Students that participate in our Food for Kids Backpack program can pick up their backpacks of food from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at these same locations. 

This is important to stress:  We will continue to monitor this fluid situation. It is possible this plan may be further modified based on current conditions, OCDOH, state and local mandates. The health and safety of everyone in our Washingtonville community remains our first and most important priority. 

We remain grateful for your ongoing support, flexibility and understanding during these challenging times. Thank you for the trust you give to us to provide outstanding education to your children.

Sincerely,

Dr. Larry Washington
Superintendent

Mrs. Barbara Quinn
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction