Dear Port Jervis Learning Community,
Collectively our learning community has justification for tremendous pride in the approach to providing the safest and healthiest learning environment, while also providing the optimal level of instruction and learning despite the inherent obstacles encountered throughout the pandemic. Our school district has extensive safety protocols in place in each of our school buildings. These protocols have been instrumental in keeping our schools open to the greatest extent possible.
Unfortunately, despite the incredible efforts and our steadfast commitment to providing in-person instruction, the Port Jervis City School District will transition back to Instructional Phase I, fully remote, for the two weeks following Thanksgiving. Specifically, all students will be fully remote from November 30 - December 11, 2020. This "Holiday Pause" is a result of the direct recommendation to all school districts in Orange County by the Department of Health Commissioner, Dr. Gelman. This communication was initially provided in a meeting with the area Superintendents and was followed by the letter from Dr. Gelman stating the same. I have attached this letter for your reference. Please note that the guidance also refers to a similar "pause" following Winter Recess. While our learning community should prepare for that as a possibility, I do not feel that it is prudent to forecast such a closure of our schools at this time.
I am fully aware of the burden this transition places on our students and their families. In-person instruction is the most effective model and provides the greatest benefit to our students. Thus, this decision was not easy to make. The patience and support from our learning community is appreciated beyond expression.
Wishing each of you a healthy and joyful holiday,
Mike Rydell
Superintendent of Schools
Instructional Phase 1 (Fully Remote): Monday, November 30 - Friday, December 11
Return to Instructional Phase III (Hybrid): Monday, December 14
Letter From Orange County Health Department
Click here to see the original document.