Dear Tech Valley Community,
On Friday, August 7, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that all school districts in New York are cleared to resume in-person schooling in September. Our reopening plan has been published on our website and we continue to respond on an individual basis to parent questions and concerns about what school will look like in September. Next week, we will host several community meetings in this Zoom meeting room: https://questar-org.zoom.us/j/8816987274. We encourage all members of our school community to attend one in order to hear more about what reopening will look like at TVHS. Your choices are:
- Tuesday, August 18, 2020 11:30am-12:30pm
- Wednesday, August 19, 2020 4:30-5:30pm
- Tuesday, August 25, 2020 12:00pm-1:00pm (Students)
The meeting will provide an overview of the reopening plan and begin to answer some of your questions. We will address such topics as what learning will look like upon return, how you and your student will be notified of their class schedule, how to communicate with your student’s teacher during this hybrid time and health and safety protocols. We have started to develop a FAQ that will be placed on our website later this week. Some of the questions we have been asked are as follows:
FAQ: When is the first day of school?
See the tentative schedule below for hybrid instruction in the first quarter.
|
In Person Instruction |
Remote Learning |
|
|
September 11, 2020 |
Freshman Orientation – grade 9 only |
No remote learning |
|
September 14, 2020 (A) |
TVHS orientation – grades 9 & 11 |
No remote learning |
|
September 15-18, 2020 (A) |
Grades 9 & 11 |
Grades 10 & 12 |
|
September 21, 2020 (B) |
TVHS orientation – Grades 10 & 12 |
No remote learning |
|
September 22-25, 2020 (B) |
Grades 10 & 12 |
Grades 9 & 11 |
|
September 28-October 2 (A) |
Grades 9 & 11 |
Grades 10 & 12 |
|
October 5-9, 2020 (B) |
Grades 10 & 12 |
Grades 9 & 11 |
|
October 12, 2020 |
TVHS Closed “Columbus Day” |
No remote learning |
|
October 13-16, 2020 (A) |
Grades 9 & 11 |
Grades 10 & 12 |
|
October 19-23, 2020 (B) |
Grades 10 & 12 |
Grades 9 & 11 |
|
October 26-20, 2020 (A) |
Grades 9 & 11 |
Grades 10 & 12 |
|
November 2-6, 2020 (B) |
Grades 10 & 12 |
Grades 9 & 11 |
|
November 3, 2020 |
TVHS Closed “Election Day” |
Office Hours grades 9-12 |
|
November 9-13 (A) |
Grades 9 & 11 |
Grades 10 & 12 |
FAQ: What measures will TVHS take to protect the health and safety of students and staff?
- Before entering the building each morning, students and staff must complete a health screening questionnaire, including taking temperature, and attest to good health before entering the building. Parents must access the “Covid 19 Daily Survey”at https://entry.neric.org/techvalleyhigh; the link can also be found on the top bar of our school website. Training will occur with students and parents the week before school starts during a brief ZOOM meeting.
- Social distancing of six feet between individuals will be enforced throughout the school. Halls and stairways will be one-way.
- Students and staff will be required to wear masks throughout the day. Students are encouraged to bring their own masks, but we will also make disposable masks available.
FAQ: When will I get my computer?
Computer technology is a critical tool for TVHS students and will continue to be vital this year. Incoming 9th grade students should make an appointment to visit the school on August 26th between the hours of 8am and 3:30pm in order to sign on to their new computers and receive the supplies that they will need to start school. Each family will sign up for an individual 20-minute time slot so that the meeting can be appropriately distanced. Please use this link to find a time that works for you. Students will need a computer bag or protective sleeve for their computer; we can provide this if needed.
FAQ: What will advisory look like this year?
Tech Valley High honors our traditions and will make every effort to maintain the programs and activities that help to make our school special, including collaborative Project Based Learning, College Ready classes, Advisory, I-Term, Clubs, and Community Service requirements. But given the limits of our physical/virtual spaces, these experiences may look different this year. More details will be forthcoming.
Tech Valley High School will use its existing communication channels including e-mail, School Messenger phone system, our website, and social media outlets to communicate regularly with parents and students. Families should reach out to Lorinda Jensis at either 518-862-4960 or ljensis@techvalleyhigh.org to set up a meeting with the administration if you wish to discuss your specific child’s needs or concerns. Thank you for your continued patience and support as we navigate a fluid situation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lynne Wells
lwells@techvalleyhigh.org
(p) 518-862-4964
Sarah Hugger Fiess
sfiess@techvalleyhigh.org
(p) 518-862-4958