Update Center

Dear Port Jervis Learning Community, 

I am hopeful that all are enjoying the summer and remaining healthy and safe, while also looking forward to the 2020-2021 school year.  

As a district, we have monitored all guidance from the New York State Education Department, as well as federal, state and local health departments regarding the opening of schools, while keeping our students, faculty, staff, and by extension their families, as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.  New York State Education Department and the New York State Department of Health have established a deadline of July 31, 2020 for school districts to submit and post their individual reopening plans for the upcoming school year.  To this end, the Port Jervis City School District Reopening Plan for the 2020-2021 school year is posted on our District website and the necessary assurances have been submitted to both entities. 

Included in the plan are the assurances and protocols for screening, cleaning, and disinfecting protocols. However, the primary purpose of this letter is to provide an overview of the instructional plan for the 2020-2021 school year.  It has been determined that given the current guidance, coupled with ensuring the safety of our learning community, that the optimal plan would include established phases that range from remote learning to a hybrid model to the optimal platform of all students attending school, each day.  This tiered approach will provide our school district with a platform to progress through the phases or revert to a lower phase, if necessary, based on guidance and directives from government and health officials, thereby allowing for increased flexibility throughout the upcoming months.

While the final decision regarding the status of opening schools in September will be determined by Governor Cuomo, the Port Jervis City School District Plan provides our students, families, and our faculty and staff with an established model of instruction regardless of the directives.  Furthermore, it is designed to provide continuity and predictability, to the greatest extent possible, for our families.  

As the Instructional Phase Plan contains several components, there will be multiple ways that this information will be conveyed to our learning community to ensure that all involved have an understanding of the phases, why these phases are being used, and what the possible schedules of students will look like in each of the phases.  I have separated the major components of the plan into three overview segments.  A link has been placed on our website with a screencast explaining the Cohort Model, the Instructional Phases, and the specific schedules that will exist throughout the phases.  

Overview of the Instructional Phase Plan

• All students will be placed in a cohort, or set group.  Each cohort will be made up of approximately 50% of the student population.  Students from the same household will be placed in the same cohort.  
• During Instructional Phases when 100% capacity in our school buildings and classrooms is not possible, the cohorts will rotate between in-person instruction and remote instruction.  In each of these Instructional Phases, students that are scheduled for remote instruction will follow their traditional schedule and attend classes and receive instruction through the Google platform. 
• Students in Kindergarten, First Grade, as well as English Language Learner, Self-Contained, and Special Class programs in the Port Jervis City School District will attend school each day in-person instruction is taking place.  These students will not rotate in cohorts. 

Overview of the Instructional Phases

• Instructional Phase 1 : All students are engaged in remote learning
• Instructional Phase 2 : 25% of students attend school in-person, 75% of students are remote
• Instructional Phase 3 : 50% of students attend school in-person, 50% of students are remote; 1 day per week will be 100% remote
• Instructional Phase 4 : 50% of students attend school in-person, 50% of students are remote; Cohorts rotate with 3 days of in-person instruction one week and 2 days of in-person instruction the following week
• Instructional Phase 5 : 100% of students attend school in-person  

Projected Timeline for the Initial Transition for Instructional Phases 1 - 3 

• Instructional Phase 1 : September 3 and 4
• Instructional Phase 2 : September 8 - 11
• Instructional Phase 3 : Beginning September 14 - TBD

*This is subject to change based on guideline and directives.  

I appreciate the tremendous support and patience that has been demonstrated by our learning community as we navigate through this, together.  

Be well and enjoy the summer.  

Sincerely, 

Mike Rydell

Superintendent of Schools

Click here for more information.

Dear Port Jervis Learning Community,

Port Jervis City School District is planning for a wide range of possibilities for the reopening of schools in September 2020. As with all school districts, we are eagerly awaiting guidance from health officials, the New York State Education Department (NYSED), and the NYS Governor's office.

The wide range of possibilities include a spectrum spanning from all students attending schools every school day, a blended model with a rotating schedule of in person instruction and remote learning, to all students continuing with remote learning model. It is important to note, that there is no replacement for full-time, in person schooling to accomplish all that should occur in the educational experience and that any model that includes students attending school in any form of an in person format will include protocols and measures that meet or exceed health and safety guidelines.

It is also important to note, this survey is to gather feedback and ideas from our learning community to assist our reopening committee in making plans and understanding the needs of our students and their families. It should not be interpreted as a means to see which plans respondents are "voting" on. It is to provide us with additional insight at this important step in the planning process.

Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas and input.

Link to Survey

Mike Rydell
Superintendent of Schools

June 19th, 2020

Dear Seniors,

            Your time has come! Congratulations on your upcoming graduation. By now, you should have selected your time for the drive-through ceremony on “Pick A Time” on our website on the HS page. Please see the two maps enclosed with this letter:  one is an aerial view of the graduation stage area and the other is the route map of our graduation celebration motorcade. Please help share out the motorcade celebration information.

            Here are a few more reminders about Graduation Day, Friday, June 26th, 2020 (rain date Saturday June 27th, same times.)

• Up to two cars per family for the drive through with up to 9 guests entering through the ASK side of campus. Cars and the family will be directed at the stage site on how to safely move through the area. Each family will get to see their graduate walk across the stage.
• 5:30pm (line up at 5:15 pm) for the student only procession, student speeches, and declaration of graduation. Enter and drop off through the ASK side of campus. If seniors are driving themselves, they can park down by ASK.
• 8pm Community Celebration Motorcade (7:45pm line up)  One car per family entering through HAMILTON ST. side of campus. All safety and traffic regulations are to be followed on campus and during the duration of the parade including NOT riding in the back of pick up trucks.
• There will be a short amount of time during the drive-through ceremony for photos. If you want to take extended photos with more family members, you can visit the campus during the week of graduation or take them off site at your leisure. 
• Details of the route can be found here.

Looking forward to seeing you all next week. #GoPort!

Yours in Port Pride,

Andrew Marotta

Principal

Port Jervis Learning Community, 

On June 16, 2020 the ballots for the spending plan for the 2020-2021 school year and Board of Education Trustee positions were counted.  As a District, we are very appreciative of the tremendous support the results of this vote indicate.  With 1338 “Yes” votes as compared to the 581 “No” votes, our District will continue to offer and expand the educational programming and learning opportunities our students deserve. 

Thank you for the support of the proposed budget for the 2020-2021 school year and the continued support of our schools.  

Board of Education Trustee Results:

• Judith Amato - 901
• William Onofry - 1055
• Florence Santini - 1156

With appreciation, 

Mike Rydell

Seniors,

FYI...Postponed the info meeting that was scheduled for this evening until next Monday night....so we can get out all the final details....should be out tomorrow, latest Wed...

Great to see so many of you today

Go Port!

Link for Monday night 6/22

Join with Google Meet

meet.google.com/mrq-uhvx-kxw

Join by phone

‪(US) +1 732-228-4364‬ PIN: ‪790 837 333‬#

Mr. Marotta

Click here for more information.

Click here for more information.

June 12th, 2020

To Our Beloved Orange County,
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
- James Baldwin

All across our country, people of all colors and ages are exercising their constitutional right to speak out against injustice, including racial injustice. As a united group of Orange County School Superintendents we stand in solidarity with those who stand against the inequities that plague communities across our country.

Our calling as school leaders has always been to address the imperfections of our democracy through one of its most powerful tools - education. Through these difficult times we are reminded that our children are watching. As educators, we hold most dearly the great responsibility of providing for a better future by ensuring that the lives of the children entrusted to our care are made better through education, including an understanding of our democracy and a commitment to equality and justice.

As leaders of your school districts we pledge to work together to continue the conversations on equity, diversity, and inclusion in pursuit of solutions. We will continue to review our practices and procedures to ensure that students in our care have equal access to programs that provide opportunities that allow our children to become the people they dream of becoming. This will include, but will not be limited to all levels of academic programs and special education services. We will continue to promote hiring practices that encourage diversity so that our faculty and staff can become more reflective of our communities.

Together, we will get through this most difficult time for our country and our communities. If you have ideas or experiences that you believe can help as we navigate our way forward, we encourage you to share them with your school leaders. We welcome the conversation.

Sincerely,
The School Superintendents of Orange County, NY

Dear Students & Parents,

Hope you are well through this time.  I am writing to update you on times to collect student belongings that may have been left at the high school when we closed in March. In order to maintain social distancing guidelines, students have been divided into alphabetical groups. Please arrive within your assigned time with a sign on the passenger door of your car with your student(s) name. The students’ personal items will be brought directly to your car. Just pull up to the front of the high school. There is no need to leave your vehicle. 

Additionally, we would like to encourage everyone NOT to arrive right at the start of their assigned windows as this could create a backup/wait time.  Our goal is to make this process as quick and efficient as possible for all involved. We also ask that you return any school materials that you have at home during this window. This includes: textbooks,  novels for English classes, and other materials that may have been given to you by your teachers for your classes. We are NOT collecting Chromebooks during this time. Windows for supply drop off/belonging pickup are as follows:

• June 11 : 8:30 am - 10:30 am :   Last names A-E
• June 11 : 10:30 pm - 12:30 pm : Last names F-L
• June 11:   12:30 pm - 2:30 pm :  Last names M-R
• June 12 :  8:30 am - 10:30 am :  Last names S-Z
• June 12 : 10:30 am - 12:30 pm : Last names A-L
• June 12 : 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm :   Last names M-Z

Please let us know if you have any further questions.  Finish the 4th quarter strong and complete all assignments.  Information will be coming soon about the collection of Chromebooks as well as summer school sign ups. For our seniors: additional information will be coming soon. Stay tuned! Go Port!

Yours in Port Pride,

Andrew Marotta

Reminder to PJMS Parents & Students

This Thursday and Friday you are able to pick up any belongings left in lockers or classrooms.  The schedule for pickup and directions are listed below. 

Pickup Schedule:

• Thursday June 11: 8:30 am - 10:30 am: Last names A-E
• Thursday June 11: 10:30 pm - 12:30 pm: Last names F-L
• Thursday June 11: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm: Last names M-R
• Friday June 12: 8:30 am - 10:30 am: Last names S-Z
• Friday June 12: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm: Last names A-L
• Friday June 12: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm: Last names M-Z

Reminder to return the following:

• Textbooks 
• Reading books from ELA
• Library Books
• Band Instruments

If you are driving, please enter on the tennis court side of PJMS.  Drive around the back of the building.  Stop at the front porch on the auditorium side.  

Stay in your car and someone will assist you. 

If you are walking, please go directly to the visitor entrance; someone will take your name and retrieve the belongings.  Please remember to maintain social distancing guidelines while waiting for belongings.  Masks are required for anyone outside of vehicles.  

Your cooperation will support our efforts to move safely and efficiently.

8th graders please note:

Even if you don't have things to pick up from your locker - please come to get your 8th grade “Port Strong” t-shirt, a gift for you from the MS PTA!

Please contact the Port Jervis Middle School at the above number if you have any questions.

Absentee ballots now accepted by mail through June 16

Per Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive order, issued on June 8, hand-delivered absentee ballots can ONLY be accepted in person until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9. If you are hand delivering your ballot, it can be dropped off at any of the three locations.

Ballot boxes for in-person drop off will remain located at three locations in our district from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm each business day. 

• Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School  (Main entrance vestibule)
• Buildings and Grounds Office (10 Route 209, Port Jervis, NY) 
• District Office (9 Thompson Street, Port Jervis, NY)*

*Please note that the District Office will receive ballots until 5:00 pm on June 9, 2020.

Any ballots submitted after June 9 must be sent through the US mail. Please mail your absentee ballots  as soon as possible. Ballots will be accepted by the district by mail only until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16. Ballots received AFTER June 16 can not be counted in the school budget and board of education election vote.