Coronavirus Update: Schools Prepare for Remote Teaching; City Cancels Senior Programs, Larger Gatherings
We have more coronoviris updates from the Rye Schools and city administration today.
Please leave any comments below and send news to MyRye.com.
School officials told MyRye.com Tuesday afternoon there are currently :"No changes to school policies (that would require a Board of Education vote). Procedurally, we have stepped up cleaning and disinfecting enormously as we indicated in our parent communications this week and last. School nurses have been following CDC procedures for examining anyone who presents with symptoms."
The schools report no changes in student or staff attendance – none that are noticeable anyway. There is also teacher training going in in case remte teaching is necessary: "Lots of teacher training going on. We are offering daily before school, after school and lunchtime professional development sessions for teachers to upgrade their skills on Google Classroom, the platform we are planning to use should remote learning be necessary. We've changed the entire focus of Superintendent's Conference Day (this coming Friday the 13th) to be around remote learning strategies and planning."
In an email, the school system further stated "we do not have any diagnosed cases of COVID-19 among faculty, staff members, or students."
On the city administration side, there is some cancellation of senior activities for two weeks, including this Wednesday's St. Patrick's Day lunch at Rye Rec. The city has is also postponing public events that are expected to attract larger crowds including Wednesday's scheduled session on Nursery Field. The city communication said "(we will) postpone selectively items that may attract substantial in-person attendance. Knowing there are many interested residents, we are postponing this Wednesday's Council session on Nursery Field."
The full communications are below
Rye Schools communication Tuesday, March 10th, 2020
"Dear RCSD Community,
Last night, the District received new information about school closing procedures from the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Education Department. The steps are as follows:
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If a student or a staff member in a school district tests positive for COVID-19, the state will notify the Superintendent of Schools
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The school will be closed for a minimum of 24 hours for the state to assess the situation
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The 24-hour period will also be used to clean the school facilities, allow time for authorities to begin investigating the individual case, and enable the state to determine whether an extended closure is necessary
The situation remains extremely fluid. The agencies have said they may issue revised guidance if COVID-19 exhibits greater severity. I will keep you apprised of any new information we receive.
Please be advised that we do not have any diagnosed cases of COVID-19 among faculty, staff members, or students.
The District’s custodial staff has been following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for cleaning. In many cases, we have been exceeding the recommendations – cleaning more often than is recommended. The custodians are using cleaning solutions known to be effective against coronaviruses.
We continue to prepare to deploy remote learning (sometimes called e-learning or distance learning) should a lengthy closure be necessary. Thank you to the many of you who have completed the survey about Internet and computer access for your students. We anticipate conducting a test of our remote learning capabilities in the near future. We will provide notice in advance of the test.
Thank you for your continued support and for keeping your children home if they show any signs of illness.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Dr. Eric Byrne
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Rye City communication:
"Coronavirus Update and City Services – March 10, 2020
Your City government continues to coordinate with County and other government officials with respect to Coronavirus. We have learned that, although Westchester has nearly 100 confirmed COVID-19 cases, very few have required hospitalization.
Our City services remain open for business, but note that we are able to offer many of our administrative services online. We encourage you to access these services and resources remotely here.
With regret, but out of respect for the well-being of our senior citizens, we will postpone this Wednesday's St. Patrick's Day lunch at Rye Rec. We will hold this event as soon as we can, so that it may be enjoyed in full. We will also suspend the Recreation Department's regularly scheduled senior program events for two weeks. We understand how important the senior program is. We will be eager to restore it.
The regular calendar of City Council, board, commission and committee meetings remains in effect. After consultation with the County and other municipal governments, however, we are going to postpone selectively items that may attract substantial in-person attendance. Knowing there are many interested residents, we are postponing this Wednesday's Council session on Nursery Field.
If you visit City buildings, you will notice signage, sign-in lists and a variety of other steps taken to encourage well-being and allow us to "trace back" our visitors, should that be necessary. The City of course intends to follow such additional practices as may be advisable.
Please remember that hand-washing and keeping hands away from eyes, nose and mouth are recommended. If you experience symptoms, stay home and call your doctor for advice – do not proceed unannounced to a health care facility that may not be prepared for your arrival.
Further general information on Coronavirus is available from the New York State Health Department at 888-364-3065, and from the County at 2-1-1. Or, you may find information at the following links:
o New York State Department of Health Novel Coronavirus website
o New York State Department of Health Local Health Departments
o Westchester County COVID-19 updated
I have been heartened by the calm and capable response of Rye residents and City staff to this challenge. Let's continue to work together and support each other.
Mayor Josh Cohn"
