February 12, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians:

As we continue through a very cold and snowy winter, I would like to inform the community of a Pilot Program offered through the New York State Education Department. As we have previously utilized this school year (ie. when there is a water main break, etc.), school districts may pivot to 100% remote learning platforms in case of emergencies.

The District’s plan regarding the use of “snow days”, particularly while we are in a hybrid model, will be dependent on the nature of the weather and our confidence in providing our 100% remote learning platform.  Below are the two announcements which will be made:

Emergency Building(s) Closure with Remote Learning:

“Saugerties School District will be closed to in-person instruction due to ____(Reason)______, the Saugerties Central School district will pivot to our 100% remote platform. Staff should contact their immediate supervisor for building availability.”

Emergency Building(s) Closure with No Instruction:

“Saugerties School District will be closed to in-person instruction due to ____(Reason)____, the Saugerties Central School district will not pivot to our 100% remote platform.”

Our community, students, faculty, and staff have been extremely flexible and focused when we have had to pivot from one learning platform to another. Going forward, there will be opportunities to pivot to 100% remote on a day when the weather or some other circumstances does not allow in-person instruction.  Students and faculty will follow their 100% remote learning platform for that day. The most important framework is to continue our open communication between students and teachers during any of our educational pivots.

 As always, the health and safety of students, staff, and the community continues to remain a priority. 

 Sincerely, 
 Kirk Reinhardt
 Superintendent

February 3, 2021 
Good Afternoon Sawyer Community, 

As many of you know, on January 22, 2021, Governor Cuomo stated that high-risk sports could begin on February 1 with approval from local health authorities. Shortly after this announcement, the Ulster County Department of Health (UCDOH) released comprehensive and complex criteria for the authorization of high-risk sports. For the Saugerties Central School District, these high-risk indoor sports include basketball and wrestling. The UCDOH’s recommendations included, but were not limited to, creating a separate Code of Conduct for Students Athletes, testing for COVID-19, logging attendance by all individuals associated with the sport; limiting student athlete extra-curricular activities and continuing to practice typical COVID safety protocols. The guidance from the Department of Health is contained in the links on the second page.

Our goal has been to maintain our academic programs and engage in in-person learning.  We have seen that following the guidance for contract tracing, one positive case of COVID can force the high school to pivot to fully remote learning even with the strict protocols of requiring masks and maintaining social distancing with increased fresh air circulation. High risk indoor sports increase the chances to reduce our in person instruction. 

Over the last several days, I have had numerous conversations with the District’s physician, athletic director, administrative cabinet, and the Board of Education. Due to the available time frame and complexity of implementing these requirements and the increased risk to students safety due to the high risk of indoor sports, it is with deep regret that I have made the very difficult decision that the District will not be able to participate in basketball or wrestling this season. The time and resources needed to create and implement a thoughtful and safe plan that meets the UCDOH requirements is not realistic for the indoor winter season, which ends on February 28. 

Many of you are aware that I was a high school coach for more than 20 years, coaching football, track, and wrestling. I truly believe that athletics and other extracurricular activities can teach lifelong skills to our students. As a school administrator, I find that attending these events is often a shining part of my day. Making the unpopular decision to forgo this year’s basketball and wrestling seasons was a painful decision to make. 

We have had a very challenging time in public education since March 13, 2020 and I know that many of our students have already missed out on so much. After weighing all of the potential risks and possible outcomes, I have overwhelming concerns regarding the participation of our students in indoor high-risk sports at this time. One of the most important responsibilities I have is to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff, and their families. I believe this decision is in the best interest of all parties. My goal is to have our students return to school full-time without any major disruptions to learning due to COVID-19 cases.  

We will continue to work within the guidance from the UCDOH and our athletic department as will reevaluate the decision for high-risk sports for the upcoming  fall and spring seasons of 2021. 

Thank you for your continued support. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. 

Respectfully,

Mr. Kirk Reinhardt

Superintendent of Schools 
 

Ulster County Department of Health High Risk Communication: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V47hBaP-fu-pSV15gO-ywVn0ccmRuZpH/view?usp=sharing

Ulster County Department of Health: Memorandum in Response to the authorization of high-risk sports

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V-JZSo47hz39XXCFd8wsKNgJKageFi76/view?usp=sharing

Code of conduct Relating to School Sports and Other Activities

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VFO5rTZLFO3I_oFyxVSvhtcYlcW3PdC3/view?usp=sharing 

It's official. After tallying all affidavit ballots, we are proud to announce that the voters approved the 2020 Saugerties Capital Project with 901 yes to 271 no. Proposition 2 passed with 971 yes and 196 no. The District would like to thank everyone who visited the polls to make their voices heard. Every vote counts! Again, we are very grateful to the community for its support. 

New York State is asking for your input on the Parent Dashboard  

Superintendent's Updated -About Weather - Tuesday, November 3, 2020, updated - 2:30 PM

November 3, 2020 

Dear Parents and Guardians: 
As we head into the winter months, I’d like to address the District’s plan regarding the use of snow days, particularly, while we are in hybrid mode. 

If there is a weather-related event causing dangerous road conditions or any other conditions that may impact the health and safety of students and staff, the district will continue to use delayed openings/snow days, as we have done in past years. 

In any other scenario, if it is deemed possible to operate the school remotely (ie. when there is a water main break, etc.), we will do so. If remote instruction needs to be canceled for the day, it will be considered a snow day. 

There are six (6) snow days allocated for the 2020-2021 school year. If more than six (6) snow days are used, the make-up days will be taken from spring recess. If less than six (6) snow days are used, the unused days will be added to Memorial Day weekend and/or spring recess (please refer to the district calendar). As always, the health and safety of students, staff, and the community continues to remain a priority.  

Sincerely,

Kirk Reinhardt
Superintendent 

**ATTENTION PARENTS: UPDATES**
GRAB & GO CHANGES FOR JANUARY 2021

ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL (845) 247-6651 EXT. 1770

To sign up and reserve your meals please complete the form below:

Grab & Go Order Form

LINK TO VIRTUAL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsSdTVRQGQevOSaBXScHv7w  

Agendas, Minutes, and Policies (After May 2020):

https://go.boarddocs.com/ny/saugerties/Board.nsf/Public