Use the links below to view Hudson Falls’ Reopening Plan that was submitted to the New York State Department of Education. If you have any trouble accessing parts of this plan, please contact firstname.lastname@example.org and assistance will be provided.
On Monday, July 13, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that school districts in New York can follow plans to reopen for in-person schooling in September if COVID-19 infection rates stay at 5% or lower in a given region.
While districts have been instructed to prioritize efforts to return all students to in-person instruction, the district is also planning for remote/distance learning as well as a hybrid model that combines in-person instruction and remote learning. At the time of this writing, HFCSD is working with our Teacher’s Association and our BOCES in developing a plan for a virtual academy allowing students who cannot return to participate fully in the educational program.
It is possible that we may need to alternate between in-person and remote learning throughout the year due to recommendations and guidance from our partnering agencies, and stay-at-home orders from the Governor. The level of infection, the spread of the virus and response to the disease in our community will be at the forefront of our decision making as we move to open our schools.
On Friday, August 7, Governor Cuomo asked all school districts to prominently post their plans for remote learning, testing of students & district personnel, as well as Hudson Falls School District’s contact tracing plan. That information is displayed in the sections below. Our full plans continue after that.
Hybrid & Remote Instruction
Given the possibility that communities may experience spikes in COVID-19 cases at any point during the school year, which may prompt short or long-term school closures, our district has developed a hybrid/blended learning model and schedule that can continue as is in a fully remote environment.
To assist the local health department with tracing the transmission of COVID-19, the district has developed and maintained a plan to trace all contacts of exposed individuals in accordance with protocols, training, and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program.
The district requires students or staff with a temperature, signs of illness, and/or a positive response to the questionnaire to be sent directly to a dedicated isolation area where students are supervised, prior to being picked up or otherwise sent home.
Instruction and Supports
The district is planning for in-person learning at the UPK-5 level and a hybrid model that combines in-person instruction and remote learning at the 6-12 level.
Health & Safety
The health and safety of our students, staff and their families is our top priority. We want students and employees to feel comfortable and safe returning to school campuses.
All teachers and principals will continue to be evaluated pursuant to the district’s approved APPR plan.
School meals will continue to be available to all students, including those attending school in-person and those learning remotely.
The district will conduct transportation activities that are consistent with state-issued public transit guidance and NYSED school reopening guidelines. Students and school staff must wear acceptable face coverings at all times on school buses and should maintain appropriate social distancing.
HFCSD greatly looks forward to a post-pandemic era where we get to have all of our students back in-person in all of our buildings. Until then, pandemic safety, health, and hygiene requirements limit us to either hybrid or fully remote learning plans. Our goal always remains to bring as many students back as safely as possible.
At the time of this writing, we are not hosting extracurricular activities. Assemblies will only occur in a staggered format so that room capacity and social distancing can be maintained. This also applies to large gatherings of employees as well.
Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism
The district will continuously monitor the progress of our students. Teachers will be required to keep daily attendance and engagement records for all students.
Technology and Connectivity
The district will provide multiple ways for students to participate in learning and demonstrate mastery of learning standards in remote or blended models.
Communication and Engagement
The district remains committed to communicating all elements of this reopening plan to students, parents and guardians, staff and visitors, and the greater Hudson Falls community.