Read the full letter and Distance/Remote Learning Plan
Dear EES Parents/Guardians,
As we plan for a beginning like no other that we have ever seen in the past, our focus will be to ensure that:
Every child, every day feels connected,
every child, every day is challenged by new learning and experiences,
and every child, every day knows they have a champion they can turn to.
The spring of 2020 challenged staff, students, and parents/guardians to find a new normal for learning, connected us in new ways and required our champions to champion from afar. What I have truly learned through this process is how much I appreciate
the expertise our teachers bring to EES, the ways in which our students continue to work hard to grow, the way families rose to the occasion to provide invaluable support, and an overall appreciation for the little things in life - giving a high five,
a hug or being able to laugh out loud with many people around. What I MOST appreciate about EES is how, even under circumstances we have never experienced, we still remain a learning and caring community.
As the Ellenville Central School District and schools across the nation transition into the 2020-2021 school year, many unknowns still exist in the educational world. Given the ever changing landscape caused by COVID-19, we have been carefully considering
how we can safely welcome our students and staff back to campus this fall. With guidance from local health officials and other experts, we have worked diligently to prepare to do this. Our plan will continue to focus on safety as a top priority as
we move forward, creating a safe environment for students to continue their learning and the development of the social and emotional connections necessary for growth.
As we prepare to open school for the 2020-2021 school year, we will be beginning the year with our Distance/Remote Instructional Model from September 8th through October 2nd. We want to be very clear: This is not going to be the same model of learning that we had when schools closed in March. When we first moved
to a fully online format in March, it was a very fast transition with minimal time to plan.
Teachers are currently re-visioning what distance learning looks like as they participate in various learning opportunities and collaborate prior to the start of the school year to plan their instruction. This year’s preparation includes the creation
of a more structured remote learning schedule that will include daily attendance taking, daily “live” connections between teachers and classmates, and new instructional material provided through both live and recorded lessons. Our hope
is that we can transition to our Hybrid Learning Model beginning on Monday, October 5th.
Normal is such a simple word and it is our goal to not only find our new normal, but to use this time as a learning experience that will forever impact the learning environment of EES. Our fall may not be “normal,” but our learning will continue
to thrive. As the year progresses, we look forward to opening our doors and welcome returning and new students to EES with open arms (from 6 feet away) as well as providing online opportunities for our students who will remain at home for distance/remote
learning. We can’t wait!
Thank you in advance for your patience, flexibility, and support as we work together to provide the best and safest education possible for our students. We will continue to communicate updates and important information via the District's webpage, Facebook
page and mailings. Remember, we are all in this together ~ Ellenville Pride is School Wide!
Respectfully,
Nicole Ey