Duanesburg Central School District posted its School Reopening Plan for 2020-21 on July 29 to its district website as required by the New York State Education Department (SED) and the New York State Department of Health (DOH), ahead of the July 31 deadline.
The plan outlines how the district would provide instruction in-person, remotely or in combination, depending upon direction from the state, as well as important information for parents/guardians, students and staff. The plan is posted on this website at https://www.duanesburg.org/duanesburg-csd-reopening-plan-for-2021/ and is linked to the website’s homepage banner and to reopening/coronavirus resources webpage.
Dr. James Niedermeier, DCS Superintendent of Schools, thanked the district’s School Reopening Committee, Board of Education and district staff for their work and input on the draft plan, which will be reviewed by the state in August.
“Duanesburg Central Schools stakeholders began working on plans for reopening very soon after we closed our doors last spring,” Dr. Niedermeier said. “I commend the teachers, students, parents, and administrators who have worked to make sure that we can return safely. Thanks should also go to my immediate predecessor, Interim Superintendent Ziegler, for his foresight.”
Dr. Niedermeier also encouraged DCS school community members to participate in his next Superintendent’s Virtual Forum, to be held Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m.
DCS will continue communicating with parents/guardians, staff and students about the reopening plan and other school-related news via the district website, email messaging system, superintendent’s virtual forums, letters from principals and other staff, and individual calls and other outreach as needed.
The DCS School Reopening Plan will be updated regularly on the website as new guidance and regulations are issued by the state, and district residents are encouraged to regularly visit the plan webpage to keep apprised. Questions may be directed to Dr. Niedermeier at jniedermeier@duanesburg.org.
In mid-July, following the release of school reopening guidelines by Governor Cuomo, the state Department of Health and SED, school districts statewide were required to submit a school reopening plan to SED by July 31. Gov. Cuomo said New York state will announce whether or not schools may reopen during the week of August 1-7 based on the plans and the most recent health data.