Updated Information from Superintendent Rydell

Dear Port Jervis Learning Community,

I hope everyone is continuing to do well. We are anticipating that Governor Cuomo will be making an announcement during his next press conference providing updated direction regarding the closing of schools which currently remains through May 15, 2020. Once a decision is made in the form of an Executive Order, the information will be relayed to our entire learning community. Regardless of the outcome of this statement, we are proactively activating a few of the items from the next phase of our school closing plan. One aspect of these changes includes our food service program. Beginning Monday, May 4th,we are transitioning to a more comprehensive approach as we are well aware of the fact that through this closing more and more families are taking advantage of the food distribution as time has progressed. We have developed a plan to expand this program to provide meals for over the weekends, as well. Additionally, we are expanding the menu to include hot food or food that can be reheated at home. In addition to the increase in distribution days and number of meals per week, we will change the distribution times at each of the school buildings to be from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Distribution at the Salvation Army location will remain the same - 10:00 am - 11:00 am. Meal Distribution Model: Pick Up Monday : Lunch (for Monday); Breakfast (for Tuesday) Tuesday : Lunch (for Tuesday); Breakfast(for Wednesday) Wednesday : Lunch (for Wednesday); Breakfast (for Thursday) Thursday : Lunch (for Thursday); Breakfast (for Friday) Friday : Lunch (for Friday); Breakfast and Lunch (for Saturday and Sunday; Breakfast (for Monday) The Salvation Army has been beyond gracious and generous in partnering with the school district during this time. They have offered to continue the delivery of meals. The delivery of the meals will be on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Again, these deliveries will include meals for every day of the week. Meal Distribution Model: Delivery Monday : Lunch (for Monday and Tuesday); Breakfast (for Tuesday and Wednesday) Wednesday : Lunch (for Wednesday and Thursday); Breakfast (for Thursday and Friday) Friday : Lunch (for Friday); Breakfast and Lunch (for Saturday and Sunday; Breakfast (for Monday) I encourage all to check out our website for a wide variety of updates. We have invested a lot of time in trying to organize and streamline the large amount of information and resources, all with the goal to make it more accessible and useful for our students, parents, and faculty. I am amazed and inspired by all that is happening across this district despite the obstacles and hurdles that exist - thank you to the parents and students for embracing the challenge of remote learning and doing your very best to continue the learning as much as possible. Additionally, I want to thank our amazing teachers. They are doing a great job and exceeding all expectations. They are doing incredible work finding new and exciting ways to continue the learning and for inspiring this generation of scholars. As next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, I am asking every student to take a few moments, send a message to at least one teacher- let them know how you are doing, let them know how much they have impacted your day, your year, your life. These messages are well deserved and will be appreciated. If one would like to share their message to a teacher with me, as well, we will post a selection of messages on our website and Facebook account. My email address is mrydell@pjschools.org Thank you for the continued support and please be well.

Sincerely, Mike Rydell