The following message from Superintendent Niedermeier was sent to DCS families with a link to our Welcome Back video.
We can’t wait to welcome you back to school!
Dear Duanesburg students and families,
This school year comes with a different type of excitement and new lessons to learn. There are some extra steps when getting ready in the morning, but the same excitement is waiting for our students when the doors open.
Lots of us are getting ready to go back to school in many different ways. Some students will learn remotely, others will return to class in-person, and others, in 9-12th grade, will be learning both ways.
In our schools, our seats will be a little more spread out, but our will to be together under one roof has never been greater. We’re taking the proper steps here at school to keep everyone safe, and to get our students and staff – who have stayed strong when faced with uncertainty – back in the classroom.
At Duanesburg Elementary and Jr./Sr. High School, it’s the same building, with your same school family. There will still be classes, electives and specials and recess. But things are different, and they will look different. Respect takes on some new meaning by remembering to give everyone extra space.
At DCS, our care and compassion for each other, and our mission to educate and learn, have never been so visible. Your Duanesburg family can’t wait to welcome you back to school!
Sincerely,
James Niedermeier, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
See what this looks like: View our Reopening video by visiting: https://youtu.be/E41nt-869uo
Here are more highlights of what you’ll see at school this year:
Self-screening before heading off to school
Every day, before you get on the bus or in the car, you’ll complete and submit an online COVID-19 Screening attestation. This is a questionnaire that asks if you have a fever, other symptoms, have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days, or have been in close contact with anyone that has or is suspected of having COVID-19.
Riding the bus
When the bus arrives, wearing your mask, you’ll get on and go right to your assigned seat. If you have a sibling or other member of your household on the bus, you’ll sit with them. If you are the only child from your family on the bus, you’ll have your own seat. You’ll wear your mask for the entire bus ride.
When you arrive at school, you’ll stay in your seat until you are released from the bus by an adult, who’ll meet the bus at school and escort you to your classroom.
High school students will enter the building through the high school office or the new entrance by the tech room, depending on the location of your classroom. The cafeteria doors will not be open this year.
A place for your belongings
You’ll enter your school building with your mask on and walk directly to your classroom – you won’t be using lockers or cubbies this year. Instead, you’ll have a crate in your classroom for your stuff. School supplies, lunch, books, backpacks and coats will go in your own crate or on the back of your chair. This is different, but you will still have a place for your belongings.
In the classroom
You’ll have desks and classmates just like before, but the desks are more spread out. You won’t be in groups or lines of desks like you may have been in the past. When you enter the room, you’ll go to your assigned desk and put your belongings in your crate. You’ll still be wearing your mask, as will your teachers and classmates.
One of the more difficult changes is that we cannot freely walk around the classrooms or buildings like we used to. Staying in your space is important for the safety of everyone. You’ll stay in your classroom for most of the day.
In the Sr. High School, teachers will change classrooms at the end of each period. In the Elementary and Jr. High, the teachers may change classrooms as well.
You’ll learn a lot from your classroom teacher, and sometimes will watch a lesson that is being taught by a teacher in a different room. You’ll be able to watch the class on a computer or whiteboard, and however you are learning, a faculty member will be in the room to help you.
Recess
The Elementary School will still have recess every day! The biggest difference is that you’ll have recess with just your class. While you won’t be able to play with kids from other classrooms, like in the past, recess will still be fun. It will be a great time to play and move around.
Lunch and breakfast
Breakfast and lunch will be delivered to you in your classroom, and you’ll eat there instead of in the cafeteria. If you’d like, you’ll still be able to bring a lunch from home.
Specials
You’ll still have specials. Special area teachers will come to the classroom for students in grades pre-K through 8th grade. High School students will have opportunities to go with special area teachers to their classrooms.
End of the day
At the end of the day, you’ll be escorted by your teacher to the bus, where you’ll sit in your assigned seat. If your parent or guardian picks you up, you’ll remain in your classroom until it is time for you to leave.
Remember: Duanesburg Eagles are brave, powerful and magnificent! We will soar through this together.