Please click here for the William Floyd School District re-opening plan (updated regularly). 

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Updated August 12 at 5:40pm

Each school within our district will present a pre-recorded virtual briefing of its school re-entry plan, which will be aired starting at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 21st.  We are encouraging our families to submit questions in advance, which will be answered by the building administration during this briefing. Please CLICK HERE for more information. 

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Updated August 11

The William Floyd School District hosted a virtual meeting on re-opening schools via our YouTube channel on August 11th at 6:30pm. To watch the replay of the event, please CLICK HERE

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Updated August 6 at 1:50 pm

In addition to the hybrid plan, the district is also offering the virtual learning option for the entirety of Stage 1. Please click here for more information on the virtual learning option and a registration form.

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A committee of district stakeholders consisting of parents, Board of Education members, faculty, staff and administration, has been working tirelessly over the past few months to come up with a plan that meets the New York State Education Department guidance on re-opening schools as well as one that is sensitive to the needs of our students and community in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. The district has developed a four stage re-opening plan, beginning in September with the hybrid model (some days in school, some days remotely), which is outlined in this document . (You can also view the document by clicking the thumbnail pictured at right). A list of key points are outlined below. 

If you have any questions, please email coronavirus@wfsd.k12.ny.us or call the confidential/coronavirus hotline at (631) 874-1200.

Click here to view an outline of our employee protocols. 

The district will be releasing a parent survey on Friday, July 31, asking questions such as whether parents plan on sending their children to school, whether they will use district transportation, etc. 

Additionally, we will be hosting a Re-opening Schools Town Hall style meeting on Tuesday, August 11 at 6:30 pm in the William Floyd High School auditorium. Please mark your calendars! More info to follow.

Due to the population size of our school district, it is not possible to maintain the required six-foot social distancing requirements in our buildings with all students in attendance at the same time. With the “all in-school” option eliminated due to space limitations under social distancing requirements, the district is initially implementing a hybrid model (some days in school/some days remotely) for general education students. Please note that special education students who are in 6:1:1, 8:1:1, 12:1:1 and 15:1:1 programs will attend school daily as social distancing is possible with mandated smaller class sizes.

The district’s re-opening plan is divided into four stages based on the school calendar, however, it is subject to change based on executive orders, state and local regulations, infection rates and/or other variables related to COVID-19. Among the criteria that the district has taken into account during planning, design and implementation is infection rate metrics, community engagement, safety of students and staff, student nutrition, instruction, transportation and social/emotional concerns. The district also recognizes the need to remain flexible in our analysis during this constantly evolving pandemic and leaves open the possibility of future amendments should the data show an increase in local infection rates, or changes to guidance from Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), New York State Education Department (NYSED), Department of Health, etc. 

The first criteria to open in any form, per New York State guidelines are: if a region is in Phase 4 of re-opening (Long Island entered Phase 4 on July 8) and if that region’s daily infection rate remains below five percent (5%) or lower using a 14-day average. Schools will close if the regional infection rate rises above nine percent (9%), using a 7-day average, after August 1. Governor Cuomo will announce his decision during the week of August 1-7. (sourced here)

It is important to highlight that Governor Cuomo has not released his decision on whether schools will be allowed to re-open in September. That decision is expected between August 1-7. This re-opening plan is contingent upon that decision.

Please click here to read the full plan submitted to the state. Click here for the Spanish translation version.

Please see some frequently asked questions below.

School Schedules

What will a hybrid model of instruction look like at William Floyd?
At William Floyd, the hybrid model of instruction will include two days of in-person instruction in school, along with three days of remote instruction. This will be in place for at least the first quarter of the school year (September – November) as long as state regulations and restrictions allow.

When will my children come to school?
General Education students will be assigned into one of two groups – Group A or Group B. All groups will be sorted alphabetically and by household across all schools to ensure that families with multiple children will attend school in-person on the same days. Please note that special education students who are in 6:1:1, 8:1:1, 12:1:1 and 15:1:1 programs will attend school daily.

• Students in Group A will be in school on Monday and Tuesday only. Group A students will participate in virtual/distance learning Wednesday through Friday.
• Students in Group B will be in school on Thursday and Friday only. Group B students will participate in distance learning Monday through Wednesday.
• All students will be virtual on Wednesdays.
• Teachers will be in school Monday through Friday.
• For distance learning days, teachers may employ a combination of synchronous (at the same time) or asynchronous instruction; students will have opportunities to connect with an appropriately-certified content area teacher during assigned office/extra help hours.
• What about special education students?
  Students who are in 6:1:1, 8:1:1, 12:1:1 and 15:1:1 programs will attend school daily.
• ICT (Integrated Co-Teaching) students will attend in-person school two days a week. They will receive virtual instruction three days a week. 
• Resource Room will take place two days in-person and three days virtual for a total of 180 minutes per week.
• Students who receive related services only will attend twice a week in-person, however, they will receive all related services as indicated on the IEP either in person or virtually. 

 

Health & Safety Protocols, Social Distancing & Face Masks

What types of health & safety protocols will be in place?

Daily Health Surveys

• Before you put your children on the bus or drop them off at school, parents/guardians are required to complete a daily health survey and temperature check for each child in their household. Do not send your child to school if they have a temperature above 100°F. Students that do not have a temperature check by their parent will receive a temperature scan at school.
• Staff members will also need to complete a daily health survey and temperature check before coming to work.
• Visitors will be required to wear face masks and complete a health survey. Please note, however, that visitors are not permitted during Stage 1.

Social Distancing

• The district will adhere to social distancing of six feet per CDC guidelines.
• Students will be spaced six feet apart.
• All schools will implement and enforce social distancing in all facilities on school grounds.
• All individuals in school facilities and on school grounds must wear a mask if they cannot maintain a six-foot distance.

 Face Masks & Personal Protective Equipment

• The district will require all students and staff members to wear cloth face coverings (unless they are not medically able to tolerate doing so, as per documentation from a health care provider) whenever they are in six feet of another person, in the hallways, in the restrooms and in other congregate settings, including buses (see Transportation section below).
• Please note that students and staff can take a break from wearing masks in the classroom when six feet apart. Masks need to be in the “ready position” for all, if students or staff get within six feet.
• Although all are encouraged to use their own face masks, the district will provide acceptable face coverings for employees (and students if they forget their own) and will have an adequate supply in case of need for replacement.
• According to the latest health guidelines, face shields cannot be used in place of a face mask.

 Transportation

• Since it is not possible for students to social distance on a bus, any student who rides the bus will be required to wear a face mask. Families are encouraged to drop off and pick up their children if possible.
• Students will be required to wear a face mask on a school bus if they are physically able. Students who do not have a mask will not be denied transportation and will be provided one before entering the bus. Siblings or children who reside in the same household will be encouraged to sit together.
• Students who are unable to medically tolerate a face covering, including students where such covering would impair their physical health or mental health are not subject to the required use of a face covering, with appropriate medical documentation. In such a situation the seating will be rearranged so the student without a mask is socially distanced from other students.
• Students will be required to wear masks and follow social distancing protocols when getting on and off the bus.
• To read about First Student Inc. and Durham School Services cleaning and disinfection protocol, please click on either of the following links: First Student Inc./Durham School Services.

Hand Hygiene, Hand Sanitizer & Cleaning Protocols

The district will provide protocols and procedures in every school for how to practice hand hygiene before and after meals. In addition, hand sanitizers will be located in the classrooms and outside the cafeteria and other high traffic areas.

Cleaning

• The William Floyd custodial staff will be hard at work on a daily basis ensuring that high-touch surfaces are cleaned throughout the day. High touch areas include but are not limited to doorknobs, door handles, hand rails, bathrooms, light switches, shared common areas such as cafeteria tables (if used), etc.
• The district will also deploy specialized electrostatic spray misting devices to disinfect weekly and monthly.
•  Please refer to the Re-opening Plan document or click here for the full cleaning and disinfecting protocols as outlined in the July 23, 2020, re-opening plan update.
• To read more about the District's cleaning supplies and equipment, please click here.

Meals

The district will provide all students enrolled with school meals each school day whether in their classrooms or in the cafeteria (depending on social distancing). Students working remotely in their hybrid schedule will be able to pick up their meals in a “Grab & Go” capacity at yet-to-be determined distribution point(s). If you would like to read more about Aramark's re-opening plan, please click here.

Please click here for the full plan detailing social and emotional well-being, teaching & learning, fine arts, music, physical education, plans for managing those who are sick, handling confirmed cases of COVID-19 and much more.

IMPORTANT: Please do not speculate about someone having COVID-19. If we have a confirmed case among students or staff, the district will inform the community immediately and consult with the health department on closing all or portions of a school, as well as institute cleaning and disinfecting protocols.

Again, please note that Governor Cuomo has still not released his decision on whether schools will be allowed to re-open in September. That decision is expected between August 1-7. This plan is contingent upon that decision.