2020-21 school year information and updates
Virtual Learning Tips for Students
- Set Up a Work Station- find a quiet area with a flat surface that you can use your Chromebook and be able to write, keep a few needed school supplies together (pens, pencils, paper, earbuds). Remember to leave your phone in a different room or at least turn it over so you don’t see the screen/turn off the volume if you use it for an alarm
- Routine- have a schedule that you follow for each day. It doesn’t have to be the same each day, just that you know what to expect/what the plan is for say, Tuesday
- Schedule- have it posted in your work area so you know when your virtual classes are, breaks, lunch and when you are doing assigned work
- Time- have a reliable clock and alarm that you can use so it can remind you when you have Google Meets
- Google Meets- attend all of the designated class times- you wouldn’t skip if you were in school don’t skip just because you are home
- Get Engaged- turn on your camera and microphone so your teacher sees you are ready to learn and are paying attention
- Organization- check the Google Classroom page for each subject and complete assignments as they are posted or use Hapara (click on the top of the school website-COVID for further instructions) to see all of your assignments
- Preparation- keep your Chromebook and charger together. Charge while using it so it’s ready for in-person days
- Resources- Not understanding something? Ask questions during classes, email teachers, or attend teacher office hours to get help
- Attitude- Yes, this is difficult but it is manageable as long as you work daily. Keep in mind that the amount of time in classes for both in-person days and virtual days is shorter than what you have had in the past. Make good use of the time you are not scheduled and get work done so you can enjoy the rest of your day! When you complete everything assigned you have less stress than when you owe past assignments.
Yellow Zone Testing
Governor Cuomo released guidance where districts are assigned a tiered location and each tier has specific criteria to enter a yellow, orange, or red zone, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These designations are determined by the state.
The district is preparing for what we would need to do if we are given a yellow zone designation. I encourage you to review the COVID Cluster Zone information and testing requirements for schools.
In the event that our area does become a yellow zone, Department of Health (DOH) guidance requires our district to test 20% of in-person (hybrid) students and staff in order to remain open for in-person instruction.
We have contracted to work with a third party medical group, Adirondack Health & Wellness, to conduct our COVID-19 testing program within the district. Testing cannot be performed without parental consent and testing is not mandatory. However, please consider that if we do not have consent to test 20% of students and staff while in a yellow zone, we will need to shift to full-remote instruction for all students. Read more on testing here.
- Watch a video about yellow zone testing from Supt. Morris
Return to School Protocols
On Sept. 30, the New York State Department of Health released a Pre-K to Gr. 12 COVID-19 Toolkit containing updated guidance.
If a student or employee has shown symptoms of the coronavirus, one of the following must take place before that person can return to school:
- Your health-care provider gives you a conclusive diagnosis of something other than COVID-19;
- You test negative for COVID-19; or
- You are released from isolation by the Department of Health.
Students and employees will be asked to provide documentation from a health care provider of an alternative diagnosis, or a negative COVID test result.
Anyone who is symptomatic for 48 hours and does not receive an alternative diagnosis or a negative COVID test result will be isolated by the Department of Health.
COVID-19 Resources
Review a list of local testing sites and recommendations for symptomatic individuals. View COVID-19 resources
Self-Health Assessments
All students in grades UPK-12 receive an important email every Monday morning around 5:30 a.m. This email will be sent to the student SCSD email account. However, for students in grades UPK-8, the email will also be sent to the parent email that we have on file. This email will include an attestation form that must be completed (by a parent or the student) each Monday, regardless if the student will be coming to school on that day. As per our reopening plan, this email will serve as a periodic self-health assessment. Learn more about the self-health assessment
It is extremely important that you check for the DOH listed symptoms and ensure that your child’s temperature is below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
DOH listed symptoms are as follows:
- Cough
- Fever
- Chills
- Loss of taste/smell
- Vomiting and /or diarrhea
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat/congestion
- Fatigue
- Nausea
Stillwater CSD 2020-21 Reopening Plan
The Stillwater CSD submitted their plan to the state on Friday, July 31, 2020. This plan is subject to change as we receive guidance from the state. We will communicate frequently to provide staff, families and our community with the most up-to-date information as possible. View the Stillwater Reopening Plan
Food Services 2020-21
All students are eligible to receive FREE meals from the district through June 2021. All students learning in-person can receive meals for free at school. Those who are learning remotely can pick meals up daily between 10-11 a.m. at the high school kitchen delivery door. This door is located right past the bus circle on the right. If you are interested in picking up meals, you must contact Food Service Director Joan Hopeck at (518) 373-6100, ext. 30513 or at jhopeck@scsd.org.
Communication from the District
If you are not receiving emails from the district, you will need to email Chris Lynch at clynch@scsd.org to make sure your correct information is on file in the parent portal. More information on SchoolMessenger can be found on the district website.