August 13, 2020
Dear Jr./Sr. H.S. Parents/Guardians and Students:
The 2020-21 school year is quickly approaching with the first of regular classes starting Wednesday, September 9, 2020. As we start the new school year, there are a few items I would like to inform you about:
- Health checks: All students and staff members will be required to submit a four question self-screening questionnaire through an online web application and maintained by Capital Region BOCES each morning before coming to school. This application can be found at: https://entry.neric.org/dcs.
- Face Masks: Staff and students in grades 2-12 will be required to wear masks at all times. Two cloth masks, hand sanitizer, and other necessary personal protective equipment will be provided at no cost to students. Disposable gloves and masks will also be provided should the need arise on buses or in schools.
- Remote Instruction: All classes will be streamed and students who are not in school may also connect to them from their homes remotely. The same period schedules will be followed whether instruction is in person or remote. Recordings of instruction will also be made available upon request. Schedules with both Google Meet classrooms and physical classrooms will be provided to students in August.
In support of remote learning, the district will make computer devices available to students and teachers who need them. The district will continue to provide devices to students 1:1. - Bell Schedules and Student Attendance:
- GRADES 7 AND 8: IN PERSON Monday – Friday:
We anticipate all students in grades 7 and 8 attending school in person every day with the following period schedule:
Period 1 – 7:55-8:52 a.m.
Period 2 – 8:55-9:52 a.m.
Period 3 – 9:55-10:52 a.m.
Period 4 – 10:55-11:52 a.m.
Period 5 – 11:55 a.m.-12:52 p.m.
Period 6 – 12:55-1:55 p.m.
Students in 7th and 8th grade will take all core classes and specials. Students will be assigned workspace in socially-distanced classrooms, kept in cohort groups of approximately 15 students, and travel will be minimized. In some instances, teachers may be connected to two or more rooms via distance conferencing technology, though we will always have teachers in rooms live with students to provide extra support and supervision. - Grades 9-12: Hybrid:
Senior High School students in grades 9-12 will be on the following rotating schedule of in-person and remote instruction: - Grades 9 & 10:
Monday – In-Person Instruction
Tuesday – Remote
Wednesday – In-Person Instruction
Thursday – Remote
Fridays with Odd Numbered Dates – In-Person Instruction
Fridays with Even Numbered Dates – Remote (except Oct. 16 & Dec. 4, which will be in-person) - Grades 11 & 12:
Monday – Remote
Tuesday – In-Person Instruction
Wednesday – Remote
Thursday – In-Person Instruction
Fridays with Odd Numbered Dates – Remote
Fridays with Even Numbered Dates – In-Person Instruction (except Oct. 16 & Dec. 4, which will be remote) - Grades 9-12 Period Schedule (whether in-person or remote):
Period 1 – 7:55-8:50
Period 2 – 8:50-9:45
Period 3 – 9:45-10:40
Period 4 – 10:40-11:35
Period 5 – 11:35-12:05
Period 6 – 12:05-1:00
Period 7 – 1:00-1:50
When in school, students in grades 9-12 will be assigned workspace in socially-distanced classrooms, kept in cohort groups of approximately 15 students. While travel will be minimized, students may be going to other locations for classes. In addition, students will eat in classrooms.
- GRADES 7 AND 8: IN PERSON Monday – Friday:
- Parent Drop-off and Pick up: Students will not be able to enter the building until 7:30 am and will need to be dropped off/picked up at the upper loop (Alexander Rd), entering the building through the back auditorium entrance.
- Student Parking: Those students who drive will now only be allowed to park in the upper parking lot (Alexander Rd) and enter the building through the back auditorium entrance.
- Lockers: Students will not be using lockers this academic school year. The district will be providing storage containers for students in each of their classrooms where they can store their belongings.
- Breakfast/Lunches: Students will be eating their lunches in the classroom which they are assigned.
- Our DCS Student Handbook is posted on our district website at www.duanesburg.org. The Student Handbook contains valuable information; we ask that you please review this with your student as it also contains the school code of conduct. Upon reviewing this document, please print the signature page and have both yourself and the student sign. Once signed, it can be turned in to their homeroom teacher as soon as possible. Copies of the Student Handbook will also be located in the main office.
- In order to comply with Department of Transportation safety requirements, all students will participate in our bus drills – even students who drive or walk to school. This change will ensure that all of our students will receive the safety instructions in the event of an emergency – which could occur on a field trip or other school transportation event.
Due to COVID-19 and the social distancing guidelines, bus slips will not be honored. All students who ride the bus will have assigned seats. Please refer to the information sent out by our Transportation Department for further clarification. Thank you for your cooperation with this matter.
I know this will be a great year with many new changes and experiences for students both personally and academically. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the main office at 895-3000 ext. 221, I am looking forward to 2020-2021! Go Eagles!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Jodi Marvin
Jr./Sr. High School Principal