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May 19: PUR Principal's Message

 

Dear Purchase School Families,

As we enter week 10 of Learning from Home, our students continue to demonstrate creativity and passion. Students have engaged with and produced projects, presentations, written pieces, videos, artwork, and musical compositions. A third grade student practicing his recorder shows perseverance and disciple.  A second grade student is clearly pleased to share her art project made from recycled materials. 

Students consistently find creative ways to connect and support one another, whether providing feedback on each others’ work or sharing their experiences during a lunch time zoom meeting. This is a testament to your unwavering support and to our continued collaboration, which nurtures our students’ creative spark. Now, more than ever, helping students to continue to build on their creative interests brings us great joy as a school community. 

At this time, there are typically end-of-year celebrations and culminating activities for students.  While their absence is significant, they do not encompass the totality of a child’s school experience.  The school year will end differently than it began, but we can still remember and hold onto the memories that we’ve made, especially those that matter to you and your family.

In collaboration with the superintendent, each school is working to reimagine how to honor our fifth graders as they leave elementary school. Options for live and virtual commencements are underway and plans for each are in process.  We soon will begin screening incoming kindergartners. We cannot conduct these screenings in-person. However, we will send parent questionnaires to gain insight into your child and send a separate questionnaire to preschools seeking further insights. 

A process is being developed to allow children to collect belongings left at school. The elementary principals and District administration will establish protocols and schedules to ensure the safety of children, parents, and staff. The process will occur in early June; a schedule will be shared as soon as it is finalized. Congregating among students, families,and teachers will be prohibited.  Refunds for field trips that could not be taken are being processed for reimbursement.

As we prepare for the end of the school year, we also are planning for summer programs and the start of the 2020-2021 school year.  We will share information about summer programs and next year as soon as possible.   We continue to formulate live, in-person experiences for students as well as update the K-5 Family University on the Learning From Home page, which offers additional learning activities for your children. 

Monday, May 25 is Memorial Day, a school  holiday.  Therefore, live sessions will not occur and assignments will not be posted.  Due to Memorial Day next week food distribution will take place on Tuesday, May 26th and Wednesday, May 27th.  Regular distribution will resume the following week. 

I hope you enjoy the long weekend. 

Sincerely,

Adam Gutterman
Purchase School Principal


Ongoing Items to Note:

  • The District still 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).