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April 28: PUR Principal's Message

 

Dear Purchase School Families,

I hope you and your children are well. When we are together in school, we end each morning announcement by reminding everyone to care about others, care about themselves, and care about the Earth.  Whether in school or at home, the faculty and I work to help students develop the skills necessary to honor this statement. 

As we do each year, the Purchase School community celebrated Earth Day. Despite our new environment, we continued that tradition. Students were excited to submit photos that showed how they care for the earth and for others. These photos will be shared in a slideshow soon. Now more than ever, we realize the importance of caring for ourselves and the community that surrounds us. Each day our faculty demonstrates a commitment to caring for your children despite the distance that separates us. 

Some examples of work from this week include a kindergartener showing how he cares for the Earth, a fifth grader’s animal research project, and Ms. McAlister introducing a new writing unit on folktales to second grade. 

Learning From Home
Teachers continue to work in collaboration with the school and district leadership teams to plan instruction.  Teacher and student interactions are essential to learning and social-emotional development. These interactions are a combination of pre-recorded videos, video conferencing, simulations, and virtual field trips.  Teachers receive ongoing support with digital platforms to interact effectively with students.  We are monitoring students’ experiences to ensure that learning is maximized. 

Last week you received information regarding your child’s District Google account. The District supports the Learning From Home experience with the following:

  • Students in Grades 3-5 have access to email through their District Google accounts, to facilitate communication between teachers and students. The email account only allows communication to others within the District.  

  • Students in Grades K-2 have District Google accounts to access District programs in a secure environment.  Parent permission for account creation, your child’s username, and password were sent to you via email by HCSD Director of Technology, Brian Seligman.

  • Google Hangouts/Meet and Zoom are tools to support teacher/student interactions. Students access these platforms using secure District Google accounts.  Learn more about the District’s Video Conferencing Guideline here.

Art and Music (General Music, Orchestra, and Band) teachers post lessons once per week.  Physical Education teachers provide lessons on days classes are scheduled to meet. Assignments include long-term projects in Art, watching and creating practice videos in Music, and fitness activities, games, dances, and sports for Physical Education.  These lessons can be completed at the student’s pace. If your child is struggling with assignments, please contact the teacher.

Family Resources
The District has created resources that can be found on the Parent Resources tab on the Learning from Home page.  The Family University K-5 offers suggestions for optimizing learning from home. 

The staff and I are here to support you and we look forward to seeing everyone together at Purchase School very soon.

Sincerely,

Adam Gutterman
Purchase School Principal


Ongoing items to note:

The Governor has directed schools to remain closed until May 15, 2020. 

The District provides free breakfast and lunch for eligible students. If you are currently eligible but have not yet applied, please complete the request form.  If your circumstances have changed and you are in need of food assistance contact your principal. All inquiries are confidential.

If your child needs a device, if there is a problem with your equipment, or if your family does not have internet access, the District will provide a device and/or a mobile hotspot to deliver internet access. If you require technology support please complete this form. If you have questions contact Brian Seligman (914-630-3389) or (seligmanb@harrisoncsd.org).