Starting the New School Year

This is my first blog posting in some time. Forgive any appearance of distance, but understand the intent to maximize and focus on priority. The summer Zoom sessions, health and safety updates, and building-level information for day-to-day operations has been ongoing and plentiful. To some extent, there is information overload in our lives and it is exacerbated in these months of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It will be my intent to join our principals in more frequent updates and check-ins in a blog style that will supplement the more urgent communication of time-sensitive matters. I will share current topics and noteworthy matters as part of the relationship between home and school. 

Beginnings

Describing the start of the school year requires a new framework and context that is completely different from past starts. Regardless of how many early September firsts a person has experienced, it is hard to simply compare. The circumstances of 2020 continually provide challenges, surprises, and a shift in thinking. Returning to learning is no exception.

From my perspective, the start has been incredibly positive. Perfect? As with all aspects of life, “perfect” is a bit abstract and perhaps unrealistic. However, the evidence of addressing new aspects of procedures, locations, and norms has been extraordinary. Arrivals and dismissals are improving and, in many cases, described as “running like a Swiss watch.” The combined effort of parent transport with the WG bus drivers is an example of partnership that is integral to our reopening.

School looks different. Mask wearing is mandatory, classrooms have less students for 6’ physical distancing, congregation and movement of staff and students are very limited, health protocols are followed daily, good hygiene is expected, and cleaning is more frequent. We are seeing new habits, and of this “temporary normal” an increased understanding of the importance of this behavior to stay safe and minimize the viral spread. 

There are many parts of the school year that remain. Communication will continue to be important and play a role in our success. Please stay in contact! Whether in-person, hybrid, or fully remote, please remember to contact the appropriate teacher or administrator with updates or concerns. When other parts have changed from the traditional, a good level of communication will help to ease our way through ongoing unchartered territory. 

Next Steps?

Predicting next steps is as difficult to do as envisioning the return to buildings. Paramount will be the health and safety of students, staff, and families. We will continue to work with the Onondaga County Health Department and work within all New York State Department of Health guidelines, including any changes that may occur. As we settle into the year, we will look for adjustments as they stay within the health parameters for ways to explore and incorporate programs and experiences for students. 

The NYS Public High School Athletic Association and NYS School Music Association are two examples of organizations that provide guidelines and updates specific to student learning activities and extracurricular activity.

This week, we will begin opportunities in music and sports that have been a staple of our success at West Genesee. Guidelines for students are provided by coaches and directors in an effort to maintain the activities within the realities of health and safety.  Please read carefully the procedures and expectations of transport, health checks, spectators, and other logistics that have changed to make these experiences possible. 

COVID-19

As you may have already heard, Onondaga County, Upstate Medical University, and Nascentia Health will now offer symptomatic testing for students and staff. The testing will be available at NBT Bank Stadium, Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Hours of testing will expand to meet the demands of the community.

This will be saliva-based testing with an average turnaround time of 24 to 36 hours. Results will be available through an online portal. Information regarding the portal will be provided following the testing process.

Any child under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult who is able to provide parental consent.

All tests require registration by calling the Upstate Medical COVID Hotline at 315-464-2582 and selecting option #4.

Please click here for more information or clarification.

Energy and Appreciation

School is alive and the energy has returned. One hundred seventy-eight (178) days after suddenly being removed from buildings, the return of students in various formats has been wonderful. We are reminded of our charge and passion for students, learning, and growth. It is a step closer to “normal” that our days are spent exploring and engaging together. 

I have been asked about my thoughts regarding such enormous change and challenges in my first, and now second, year at West Genesee. My only hesitation in responding is in combining the two factors. To be clear, we all share an unimaginable amount of issues and circumstances. That is also true with me and my family. At the same time, there isn’t any place we would rather be than in this strong and supportive community. We are so glad to be Wildcats and going through this…. Stronger Together!

~David