This letter is to update everyone regarding the class cancellation from Monday, March 16 through Tuesday, March 31, 2020. As you are aware, changes take place on an hour to hour basis with the coronavirus situation and we will be updating everyone as new information comes in. Please visit our website daily and make sure you take the phone calls, texts and emails that will be coming in from the district during this time.
Montgomery County issued a state of emergency on Sunday, March 15, 2020, at 1:00 pm through March 31, 2020. That state of emergency recommended that classes be cancelled in schools during that time. As you are aware, we have taken action on that recommendation. Since this situation is ever-changing, we will be updating everyone on Friday by 12:00 pm each week relating to any extended class cancellations. Please look at the website for details and again ensure that you take the call from the district and look for any emails and/or texts as well.
School Access
Students will have access to their respective schools to pick up any clothes, books, musical instruments and items that are needed during this closure on Wednesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 19 from 9 – 11 am. The library at each school will be open as well during this time to return or take out books.
Food Service
Although classes are cancelled from Monday, March 16 through Tuesday, March 31, 2020, Canajoharie CSD students will be eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch options through this time. Beginning on Wednesday, March 18 through Tuesday, March 31, 2020, any child under 18 years of age will be allowed to receive a healthy meal and snack choices through the district’s food service program.
Meals may be picked up between the hours of 8 am and 9 am, from Wednesday, March 18 through Tuesday, March 31, 2020, (Monday through Friday) at the following locations:
- High School front foyer area
- Arkell Library Parking Lot
- At the regular bus stop areas. The busses will go on their daily run and stop at each location during 8 am – 9 am. Please make sure that there is someone waiting during this time.
- All students (including K and 1st grade) who live in the East Hill and Moyer Street areas will have to pick up their food at either the high school or Arkell Library parking lot between 8 am – 9 am.
- Village Restaurant will also be serving a free meal a day (grilled cheese or hot dog) anytime from 8 am – 5 pm as well if interested.
Supplemental Educational Activities
Starting Wednesday, March 18, supplemental educational activities will be sent out to students during the closure via online in the teacher’s Google Classroom. If you do not know how to use Google Classroom please click this link for a quick tutorial The Parents’ Guide to Google Classroom.
If a teacher does not have a Google Classroom refer to the following link on our website under “Contact Us” https://www.canajoharieschools.org/contact-us/ and click “Supplemental Educational Activities”. The teacher’s name will have a link and when you click the name the supplemental educational activities will be available.
If needed we will be handing out paper and pens during our foodservice runs available and at the high school and the Arkell Library parking lot from 8 am – 9 am. We ask that you follow your child’s daily schedule to ensure that the activities are complete. For example, if your child has physical education or art for one day, please click the links for the specific teacher to obtain the activities.
Devices and Internet
As of Wednesday, March 18, every household should be equipped with at least one device and have internet access. For the students who need the devices and internet, we will be dropping them off during our food bus runs and also available to pick them up at the high school or Arkell Library parking lot from 8 am – 9 am on Wednesday and Thursday.
Spectrum is also giving free access to the internet for 60 days. Please contact them at 1-844-488-8395. Just as a note, this is free for only 60 days and you will have to cancel the service prior to that date or you will be charged.
If a household does not have a device or internet please call the respective school for information. We will not be able to help with slow or intermittent internet service at your home. If you are having a technical difficulty with the device please email techsupport@canjo.org.
Student Services
If your child or your family needs guidance and/or assistance accessing resources, please feel free to contact your child’s counselor or our district via email. Please be sure to provide your child’s name and specific concerns as well as the best way for the counselor to reach you and your child.
East Hill Elementary and Middle School: Sherri Buteau, School Counselor sherri.buteau@canjo.org
Canajoharie High School: Amanda Rose, School Counselor amanda.rose@canjo.org
District-wide: Lindsey Hodge, School Social Worker lindsey.hodge@canjo.org
I want to ask everyone for their support during this time. This is an unprecedented event that is ever-changing, with many questions that are still left unanswered. I ask that people focus on today and plan for the best tomorrow.
Please visit the district website (www.canajoharieschools.org ) for critical details related to COVID-19/coronavirus. We will be continuously updating information/details relating to this situation as it is shared with our district.
Sincerely,
Dr. Nick Fitzgerald
Superintendent of Schools