Letter from the Superintendent, Mr. Deegan - September 29, 2020

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September 29, 2020
Feast of the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael
 
Dear Catholic School Families,
 
Thanks to the continued hard work and dedication of our great teachers and the dynamic principals who lead our schools, we are about to enter the month of October. As we have throughout the public health crisis, we continue to be proactive in our approach to safely and efficiently reopening our school buildings.

In keeping with that spirit, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Bridgette R. Mastaglio, MPH, as the COVID-19 Coordinator for the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. Please see  this article in Catholic New York for a look at the crucial role this new position will play in keeping our schools and the communities around us safe. As always we will continue to keep you updated on critical matters related to your child's education, as well as important information that requires you to take action.

1. New York State Public Health Law requires ALL students be immunized to remain in school. Click here for the requirements by grade. This year, these requirements for all students - even remote learners - take on more meaning. Please ensure your child's immunizations are up to date and provide the documentation to your children's school if you have not already done so. While it is required for all students in New York City under the age of five, we strongly encourage the flu shot this year for everyone. Demand for flu shots is rising, so please be sure to make an appointment with your doctor, pharmacist or wherever your family receives vaccinations!
2. Enabling all children to seamlessly access our classrooms remains a priority. To that end, we launched significant resources for our principals and teachers to capture common issues and assigned dedicated staff to assist with providing solutions. Most problems have already been resolved, while others will require additional time as we work with vendors and internet providers. The best experience for children who are learning remotely or hybrid is through the Zoom App. Zoom has now released an update which significantly improved the audio and video quality. We encourage you to download the most recent application. You can do so by visiting the Zoom Website here. You should also fully power down and up your chrome books on a regular basis rather than place them in sleep mode. Shutting down the device enables critical updates to be loaded.
3. As anticipated, the metropolitan area is seeing increases in COVID-19 cases. Please ensure you re-commit yourself to the safety measures and reinforce them with your child. Social distancing, wearing a mask, staying home when sick, completing your daily health check list and checking your child's temperature will play a crucial role in preventing school shutdowns due to surges in the numbers.

As we approach the month of October dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary and the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary celebrated on October 7, may we continue to entrust our students and schools to our blessed mother.  Please utilize these family resources for how you can celebrate and honor Our Lady of the Rosary.
 
Sincerely, Mr. Michael J. Deegan
Superintendent of Schools
Archdiocese of New York