3/28/20 - District Email Letter

District Letter - Important Updates

3/27/20 - School Community Email

The District was informed earlier today about an extended school closure as ordered by Governor Cuomo. At this point in time, we are conferring with legal counsel and awaiting further guidance from the State Education Department regarding the Governor’s order. 

3/26/20 - Secondary Parent/Student Email

Dear Berner, Ames and MHS Students and Parents:

As we continue to abide by the necessary guidelines for health and safety, and our teachers engage remotely regarding their curriculum, we wanted to share with you our plans for the conclusion of the 3rd marking period. Our goal is to maintain our current grading policy while providing fair and reasonable accommodations, with no student’s grade being harmed by the mandated school closure. Students who had worked hard for a majority of the 3rd marking period prior to the mandated closure, should see the grade they earned posted for that marking period. 

The 3rd Quarter Marking Period will be extended to Wednesday, April 8th. Teachers will determine a numeric grade utilizing their customary grading formula. Grades will reflect work, assignments, and assessments that were assigned up to and including Friday, March 13th (last day in session).  As is customary, if warranted, students would be given the opportunity to make-up / submit missed work or assessments assigned on or prior to March 13th, remotely at this point, in a manner determined by the teacher.

Further guidance will be forthcoming regarding the 4th marking period.

Most importantly, we hope you and your family are healthy and safe throughout the remainder of this health crisis.

Sincerely,

Dr. Thomas J. Fasano

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

3/23/20 - Elementary Parent Email Letter

Elementary Parent Email Letter

3/21/20 - Important Notification Email Letter

District Letter - Important Notification

3/20/20 - NYSED State Elementary and Intermediate State Testing Press Release Email 

Summary of Email: Suspension for the remainder of the school year applies to the following New York State testing programs:

• New York State Grades 3-8 English Language Arts Test;
• New York State Grades 3-8 Mathematics Test;
• New York State Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test;
• New York State Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test;
• New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) in Grades K-12; and
• New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) for students with severe cognitive disabilities in Grades 3-8 and high school.

3/20/20 - Childcare Information

First Responders and Medical Personnel Only

3/20/20 - MSD Community Email

As we all abide by the necessary guidelines in order to "flatten the curve," and navigate the issues of limited social interaction, we want to reach out and assure everyone that we are all in this together...and that we will all get through this.
To our faculty, staff and administrators who have been working on everything from preparing alternative learning activities and resources to engage with their students, to distributing lunches to those in need, we thank you for your effort and spirit of collaboration. We know you continue to focus on the needs of students and families while you look to address the needs of your own. 

To our families and care-takers, we want to assure you that we are available to address your questions and concerns. We have, and will continue to provide you with communication and resources regarding how to support yourselves and your children through these challenging weeks. We will also keep you informed as we receive guidance regarding the school calendar, AP and Regents assessments, and anything else that comes our way. Continue to check the District Website for a complete chronology of communications thus far. The learning resources and activities that have been posted are NOT mandatory, nor is there any need to stress over deadlines. They are not being graded. They are the first phase of instructional outreach to provide our students the opportunity to engage in some meaningful, relevant activity related to school. Similarly, as teachers reach out to their students, the goal is to maintain some semblance of continuity of learning, balancing the need for student engagement with the practical circumstances, and the stressors that exist. There can be learning and structured activity without stress or grades...especially now.

To our students, we want you to know that your teachers, your principals and counselors are available and will be reaching out to you. We all miss you, and are looking for creative ways to maintain to the best of our ability, given the calendar and circumstances, some of the things you are looking forward to...moving-up, proms and graduation ceremonies. We hope you are taking the time to relax, truly communicate with those in your home who care for you, and stay engaged with your teachers and counselors as they reach out to you. Take the time to read, write, draw, paint, play, create music and appreciate your talents...and what you miss most about school. Think how great it will be when this all passes and you actually have school and work to attend to!

Again, please feel free to reach out to any one of us via email, and continue to check the District website for updated information. We appreciate everyone's patience, collaboration and community support as we work through this together.

3/19/20 - School Closure Learning Activities Email

As the District noted in communication sent on 3/16 and 3/18, we are initiating alternative learning opportunities that will allow students to first access resources and learning activities, and subsequently engage starting Monday, March 23rd with their teachers.   

At this time, we direct you to the District’s website, www.msd.k12.ny.us, to access these resources by clicking on our “District Learning Activities” website diamond. 

School Closure Activities

Important: Should you need to pick up medication that is being stored in the Health Office of your child’s school, we ask that you please report to the building between the hours of 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM on either Tuesday, March 24th or Thursday, March 26th. 

Until further notice, our buildings are not open to students nor parents for any other reason.

We will continue to keep you updated as information becomes available and circumstances warrant.

3/18/20 - Alternative Learning Opportunities and Special Education Email Letters

3/18/20 Alternative Learning Opportunities District Letter

3/18/20 Special Education District Letter

3/17/20 - Free and Reduced Lunch Email (Sent only to families that qualify)

The District sent an informational email directly to families that qualify. If you have any questions, please complete the contact form in the footer of our webpage.

3/17/20 Updates Email

Last night, Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order closing all schools through and including April 1, 2020. Pursuant to that order, the Massapequa Public Schools will be closed through and including April 1, 2020.

We will continue to keep the community apprised of new information as it becomes available.

3/16/20 Updates Email

This is an update on the District’s next steps regarding the school closure ordered by the Nassau County Executive.

Please review the information below as we are committed to providing our students with resources and learning experiences during this unprecedented time.

• ONLINE RESOURCES - There are various online learning platforms located at www.msd.k12.ny.us/tech that support and reinforce a variety of skills and concepts. This webpage provides students and parents with resource names, grade-level/subject availability, descriptions, log-in information, and links to tutorials.
• SPECIFIC LEARNING ACTIVITIES - At this time, our building and curriculum leadership teams are developing elementary grade-specific and secondary course-specific activities for parents and students. Our plan is to have these additional activities published on our website by the end of the week.
• SPECIAL EDUCATION - All Committee on Special Education meetings scheduled for this week are cancelled and will be rescheduled for a later date. Additional information will be shared later in the week regarding next week’s meetings. 

As you know, this is a fluid situation, and we are committed to our students. We will be sure to communicate additional direction for continuing instruction for our students as it becomes available.

3/15/20 Updates Email

This communication contains the most updated information and replaces all prior correspondence.

At the direction of the Nassau County Executive, Laura Curran, all Nassau County schools are required to close to students for two weeks. As such, the Massapequa Public Schools will be CLOSED beginning on Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 27th. During this time, All school buildings are CLOSED to students Transportation will NOT be provided to any programs including out-of-district placements We will continue to update the community with information as it becomes available. Thank you and stay safe.