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May 12: LMK Principal's Message

 

Dear LMK families,

We are now in our 9th week of learning from home, and your partnership has been the key to successful student learning.  Last week students shared letters of thanks with teachers during teacher appreciation week.  Their heartfelt words are precisely what we all need as we enter the last weeks of the school year. Their warmth epitomizes our students’ embodiment of the IB learner attribute of caring. 

You are the first teachers of your children, and you continue to support their learning during this pandemic.  I had the challenge of helping my 4th-grade daughter understand the Boston Massacre and Tea Party.  As I spoke above the sounds of my son’s Playstation, I realized this was not going to be easy.  It reminded me of the challenge of being a teacher and the difficult but important task of teaching my children. The same one you face every day. 

 We recognize the challenges families face Learning From Home and its impact on students’ ability to complete work. Our grading practices reflect that understanding and the approach is accurate, fair, and respectful.  The revised secondary grading guidelines ensure integrity and fairness, provide feedback on achievement, and support learning. 

Reminders/Updates:
The Governor has directed schools to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.

We are developing a schedule for locker cleanout that I will share with you in next week’s letter.  A limited number of students at designated times will be allowed to retrieve belongings left in school.  

We are working to preserve school rituals, including our Moving Up ceremony for 8th graders.  The superintendent and I met with 8th-grade officers to discuss plans for a meaningful ceremony. Our students offered amazing ideas, focused on their own well-being, and the well-being of their teachers. We are examining all possibilities and planning for multiple scenarios.

Our extracurricular advisors are holding club meetings with students. If you or your child have questions about club gatherings, please reach out to me or the club advisor. 

Students are using Google Hangouts for teacher-student meetings.  Zoom is another platform used by teachers. The District has a secure  Zoom account, and students grades 6-12 have district accounts to access a Zoom session. The District’s Video Conferencing Guidelines provide more information. 

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).   

Ms. Colosimo, Mr. Spector, and I continue to be here for you to answer any questions and offer our support.

Sincerely yours,

Scott Fried
Principal