Update: March 16 at 7:30 pm

Governor Cuomo has ordered all schools statewide closed through April 1, 2020. We will continue the lines of communication open in the coming days with our school community. Thank you for your patience as we navigate our way through this public health crisis.

As you know, the world is experiencing an unprecedented crisis caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) health emergency. With the county, state and federal governments placing us in a state of emergency and schools ordered closed by Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone for the next two weeks (March 16-27), the William Floyd School District has put together some questions and answers that might be helpful during this difficult time.

Why are schools closed for two weeks?
Schools have been closed as a precautionary measure to help prevent community spread of COVID-19. We will continue to use this time to deep clean and sanitize our facilities using a New York State-approved hospital-grade product, 3M Quat Disinfectant, which is effective against a broad spectrum of viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc. The Center for Biocide Chemistries lists this product as effective at fighting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Do you have any cases in the William Floyd School District?
We have no confirmed cases at this time.

What about students who rely on school meals?
We have been working with our food services provider, Aramark, to set up delivery of bagged breakfast and lunch to students in a “grab and go” capacity weekdays (Monday through Friday) for at least the next two weeks. Just pull up in your vehicle, state the name of your child(ren), their school and take the food. Pick up will take place at the following locations beginning Monday, March 16 from 10 am to 12 pm: William Floyd High School south entrance, 240 Mastic Beach Road, Mastic Beach; the Mastic Beach Property Owner’s Association, 31 Neighborhood Road, Mastic Beach; and the Mastic Firehouse, 1080 Mastic Road, Mastic.

The district has also been exploring community food distribution through outside non-profit agencies and will keep you updated on that. The William Floyd Family Center and the local emergency food pantry will be closed at the moment. If anything changes on this, we will let the community know right away.

What about school work for these two weeks?
The district began preparing grade level packets for K-8 and working on the implementation of online instruction for grades 9-12 for continuity of education.

• Most of the elementary school packets were finished in time to go home on Friday except for Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School. Information on how to pick up packets for Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School or if a child was absent from any other elementary school on Friday will be forthcoming.
• Middle school packets were not completed in time on Friday to be sent home with students, but they are currently available on each middle school virtual backpack. You are not expected to print these large documents. We will do all that we can to get packets to you. However, if for any reason we are unable to get hard copies in your hands, you can work off of the documents from the virtual backpack. Just number each page and question and follow along on a blank sheet of paper with your answers. Follow these links for middle school virtual backpacks: William Floyd Middle School and William Paca Middle School.
• Resources and information for online instruction for grades 9-12 will be made available in the coming days.

What about spring break will we be required to come to school then?
The district, along with every district across Long Island, is awaiting guidance from the Governor Cuomo’s office regarding how to proceed with upcoming school vacation periods as a result of this unprecedented health crisis. Once we have information from the governor, we will share it with the school community expeditiously. We do know that Governor Cuomo has lessened the restrictions on the 180-day attendance requirement. However, we do not yet have guidance on how to proceed with scheduled school vacation periods since a two-week closure has been ordered by Suffolk County. At this point and barring any additional unforeseen closures, we *expect to be open on Monday, April 13, and Friday, May 22 (*subject to change at a moment’s notice). Further information will be communicated as it becomes available.

What about UPK and childcare facilities?
UPK has been canceled districtwide for the next two weeks, which includes Harmony, Head Start, Colonial Youth and Just Kids. Just Kids special education children who have current individualized education plans (IEPs) that include OT, PT or speech, may call 631-924-0008 to arrange for these therapies at the Just Kids Middle Island site. Just Kids will make every effort to accommodate parent requests. If you currently use Colonial Youth for childcare (at the Little Red Schoolhouse only), please follow up with them directly to inquire if it will still be offered.

What about Home Instruction and other-related services?
Due to the nature of this emergency closure, all home instruction and services will temporarily stop. Parents, please communicate with your school’s psychologist upon re-opening to schedule a CSE meeting to determine if compensatory services will be required.

When will schools re-open?
As of this point, please plan for Monday, March 30. However, please note that this is a rapidly evolving situation and this information, while accurate at the moment, could change at a moment’s notice for a variety of reasons. We will continue to follow the lead of the Suffolk County Department of Health, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Governor Cuomo on any health-related closures.

Please note that information for the staff will be communicated directly to the staff via district email.

***Altice is offering free high-speed broadband connectivity (Wi-Fi) for K-12 and college students during this public health crisis. Click here for details. Call 1-866-200-9522 for details and to enroll.