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Coronavirus Update March 31

Update from the Superintendent of Schools:
Spring Break Canceled

Update: March 31, 2020

Dear Harrison Learning Community,

Spring Break, scheduled for April 6-10, is canceled. The District’s online instruction, Learning From Home, will continue without interruption. 

I, like you, am disappointed that we are unable to provide a much-needed and well-earned break for students, teachers, and families. However, as a result of Governor Cuomo's latest executive order and clarification that we received from the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) yesterday, all school districts are required to cancel spring break and continue virtual instruction.  According to guidance issued by NYSED:

Districts must continue to provide remote instruction for students, meals for students, and child care for essential workers every weekday between April 1, 2020, and April 14, 2020, even if the district is scheduled to be on spring break during that time.

The executive order further requires districts to exhaust unused snow days as instructional days. Failure to comply with this Executive Order disqualifies districts from receiving a waiver for completing the required 180 instructional days. We will fully comply with this Executive Order. 

Understandably, your children will be disappointed by this news. Please remind them that these setbacks are short-term, and your family and our district are here to help. Making them mindful of the many supports in place will ease their anxiety. As always, we are eternally grateful for your partnership.

While each of us is disappointed at this outcome, never has our community or our society been more inextricably linked. In making this choice, the Governor needed to consider the circumstances faced by all children throughout the state of New York. For many families, the day-to-day interaction with teachers is an essential part of a family’s well-being and their only means of support. 

We hope to plan time off in the near future.  The children are watching, let us live with optimism. Better days are ahead.  

Sincerely,
Louis N. Wool Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools