On opening day of the new school year, all three local school districts will be tuning in remotely, but only Valley Central students will be in their building for the first few weeks of the year.

Pine Bush
On Thursday, Pine Bush Superintendent of Schools Tim Mains, announced on the district’s Facebook page that schools will be all virtual for all students when school begins on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The district expects to bring in its special education and pre-kindergarten students two weeks later beginning on Monday, Sept. 21. Students in grades K-6 who choose the hybrid model are expected back beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Upon Mains’ return from a medical emergency, he learned that the teams working on the district’s reopening plans determined that grades 7-8, like 9-12 would have to begin all virtual.

“While we had originally hoped to begin the hybrid model of instruction for grades pre-K through six right off the bat on Sept. 8, we now believe we will need the entire month of September to resolve a variety of logistical matters to ensure that can begin smoothly,” Mains announced on the district’s website on Aug. 20.

The district is still working on what the hybrid model will look like for students in grades 7-12. Mains noted that this is particularly challenging due to the complexity of the schedules for those grades. The district could begin some hybrid instruction in grades 7-12 by Oct. 6.

Mains recognizes that the decision to start all virtual puts an additional burden on many Pine Bush families, especially those where both parents work. On Aug. 20, he reached out to the district’s before and after school care providers, the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club, who are willing to work with them to design a daytime childcare service at least for the month of September. Mains added that he would announce this week what childcare programs they will be able to offer and how they will be structured.

Furthermore, kindergarten and pre-kindergarten parents should be aware that the open houses scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27 have all been moved to Tuesday, Sept. 8. Parents will be receiving more information from their child’s school principal about those open house events.

Wallkill
On Aug. 17, Wallkill Superintendent of Schools Kevin Castle announced the district’s decision to begin the school year with all virtual instruction.

“After thoughtfully reviewing and taking into consideration the academic, health and safety needs of our students, faculty and staff, we have made a decision to delay in-person instruction and begin the year on full remote instruction (distance learning),” he said on the district’s website.

Castle unveiled the district’s gradual phase-in plan. In Phase 1, Groups A and B will be on distance learning beginning Sept. 9 through Oct. 2. As the district approaches the conclusion of Phase I, they will consult with the Orange and Ulster County Health Departments to gather data on the level of infection rates in the county and review any other pertinent data.

Phase II calls for an in-person hybrid learning model beginning Oct. 5. From Oct. 5 through Oct. 8, students will come in at 25 percent capacity with Oct. 9 designated as an online learning day for Groups A and B. Beginning Oct. 13, students will come in at 50 percent capacity.

“I fully understand that this decision may cause some of you to be upset with us,” Castle said to parents/guardians in his announcement. “However, if we do not gradually phase-in our plan, the health and safety of your child and others could be negatively impacted. This decision will allow us to focus our attention on providing the most meaningful distance and in-person learning experiences for our students and prepare for a safe return to school.”

Valley Central

The first day of school for the Valley Central School District is Friday, Sept. 4 and will be virtual for all.

However, after the first day of school, Valley Central will have in-person learning.
All Valley Central students will be separated into two teams: Team 1 and Team 2. Hybrid instruction will be a combination of in-person at 50 percent capacity and online/remote learning.

Team 1 will attend school in person on Monday and Thursday. They will receive online/remote instruction on Tuesday and Friday. Team 2 will attend school in person on Tuesday and Friday and will have online/remote instruction on Monday and Thursday. Teams 1 and 2 will alternate in-person and online/remote learning each Wednesday.
Special education (12:1:1, 6:1:2, 8:1:2, Life Skills) and Alternative Learning Center at Maybrook students will attend school in person five days a week. Students will also be given the option of all online instruction.

“The way Valley Central schools will operate this school year will look and feel different than previous years,” Superintendent of Schools John Xanthis wrote in a letter to Valley Central families. “Please know that our commitment to your child’s academic excellence is a momentous responsibility, especially during these challenging times and we work hard every day to make Valley Central a district that we remain proud of – a great place for children.”