Update to our Learning Community

Dear Port Jervis Learning Community, 

First and foremost, I want to open with my appreciation for the incredible efforts that are being invested by all stakeholders in our school district.  The exceptional work by our teachers to transition to a vibrant remote learning model, to the students and their families for all their work to ensure the continuation of learning, and our staff’s incredible efforts to keep all operations running as effective and efficient as possible - all for the benefit of our students and our community.  As schools are now closed to May 15, 2020, with the continued possibility that the closing may extend well beyond that date, we want to continue to maintain open lines of communication with our students and their families.  

To this end, here are a few important updates and points of information: 

Parent and Student Resources - Website

Over the past several weeks our faculty and staff have assembled a tremendous amount of resources for parents, students, and our community.  These resources include academic tools and applications, social and emotional links and tools, as well as information regarding community-based services and supports.  We have assembled a team to cull through all of these resources and organize them on our webpage.  These updates will occur over the next few days and I encourage all to continue to check on our website to access these outstanding resources.  

Student Registration / Kindergarten Registration

We are in the process of transferring our Kindergarten and Student Registration forms and documents to an online platform.  Our school district will be using FamilyID as the platform for these documents.  This will allow for the registration process to continue without the need to come to the school buildings to access the necessary paperwork.  This process may take a few weeks to complete, but once launched, an announcement will go out to the community informing them of the necessary steps to complete the registration process.  

Childcare: Medical personnel, first responders, emergency personnel 

We have many members of our community that are first responders, healthcare workers, police officers, and emergency personnel.  I am certain I speak for all members of the Port Jervis City School District in expressing our gratitude and appreciation for all each of you do, each and every day.  

Each school district in New York State has been tasked with contacting local childcare providers regarding availability, contact information, and accessibility.  We have collaborated with the other school districts in Orange County and Orange-Ulster BOCES to compile the attached list of childcare providers.  If any members of our community that are medical or emergency personnel need assistance in locating childcare providers, we are here to assist.   

Email Addresses for Students

I am pleased to announce that each student in grades 9-12 now has an activated email account through our school district’s domain.  Specifically, each student now has an account that will allow them to utilize email to communicate with any other member of the Port Jervis CSD email system.  Additionally, this will allow for improved efficiency in the realm of Google Classroom and several applications.  The email accounts can be accessed through our webpage and the username and password for each student is the same as the device and Google log in they have been using throughout the school year.  I want to assure the parents that the students will not be able to send or receive emails from any outside address as this is an internal email system.  As things progress and we monitor the use of these emails, our long-term plan includes opening the emails up to college, employment, and other applicable sites, as well as determining the potential to expand to other grade-levels.  

Hurdles / Obstacles

If any of our learning community members are experiencing any difficulties in accessing resources, completing assignments, or need access to the wide array of services our school district can provide, please contact me or your child’s building principal.  We are here to assist.   

Be well, 

Mike Rydell 

Superintendent of Schools