Pine Plains Central School District

We have an ample supply of Covid test kits. Please call your school office. We will get them to you. Please test your students if they have any symptoms. If you have a positive result let the school know.

Good Morning. Due to icy road conditions the Pine Plains Central School District is on a 2 Hour Delay today, Thursday, February 10, 2022. Thank you and have a nice day.

Today, Thursday, February 10th, the Pine Plains Central Schools are on a two hour delay because of road conditions.

Because of forecasted weather, the Pine Plains Central Schools are cancelling after school activities today, Monday, February 7th. schools will dismiss at the regular time.

Good afternoon. All afterschool activities for the Pine Plains CSD are canceled for today, Monday February, 7, 2022.

Good Evening. This is a message from the Pine Plains CSD. Due to impending inclement weather, the Pine Plains CSD will be on full remote asynchronous instruction tomorrow, Friday, February 4th. There will be no out of district transportation and all offices will be closed. Thank you and have a nice day.

February 4, 2021 Dear Parents and Guardians: I am writing to update you on the status of our schools in the Pine Plains Central School District.... This past week we had a major snowstorm, which caused us to use two of our three remaining snow emergency days. New York State will allow us to count any day in which the district is in full remote learning as a day of instruction. For the remainder of the school year, if weather prohibits us from safely transporting students and staff to school, we will go into full remote instruction. Each school will provide specific instruction to parents and students should such an event take place. Meal deliveries on those days will be contingent on the road conditions and announced accordingly. Our school athletic program in now underway. Varsity and junior varsity basketball are practicing with games to begin next week. Please be reminded that we will observe all regulations of New York State and the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health as well as the Section IX Athletic Council. Spectators are not permitted for any of the indoor sports and will be limited in number once competition moves outside. As I have previously noted, the district has received rapid COVID test kits from NY State. It is our plan to test our athletes and coaches. While we strongly urge parents to allow their student to be tested, we will respect decisions by parents who choose not to give consent. This testing program is not intended for those exhibiting COVID symptoms. Its purpose is to find students who are not having symptoms but are infected and therefore can possibly spread the disease. It is a safety measure for all involved. Finally, we continue to look for ways to increase the amount of in-person instruction offered to students. Our biggest roadblock continues to be the requirement for social distancing and the amount of space that requires. We plan to do another review of our classroom and transportation space and how many students we have in-person. We have decided to waive the requirement that families wait 10 weeks to change from full remote to hybrid instruction. Parents who want their student to move to hybrid learning may contact their school office with their request. We ask that you give us one week’s notice of any change so that we can make the necessary arrangements. We appreciate the continued cooperation of our students and parents as we try to provide the best possible education for our children. Be well and stay safe. Dr. Martin D. Handler Superintendent

Pine Plains Central School District will be closed Tuesday, February 2, 2021. Offices will be closed and there will be no meal delivery. Stay Safe.

Monday, February 1st, Pine Plains Central School District will be closed due to the impending storm. All offices will be closed. The district will make a decision about February 2nd on Monday evening.

January 29, 2021 Dear Staff, Parents, and Families: Today, we have learned of a staff member at Seymour Smith ILC that tested positive for COVID-19.... The individual was last present in the district on January 8th. At the time, the individual was free of any symptoms, wearing a mask as per the District protocol, and social distancing standards were followed. Due to federal health privacy laws, further information about their identification or condition cannot be released. We have reviewed this case with the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health. Given the specifics of this case, the Department of Health has advised us that contact tracing is not necessary for this case. Please be reminded of the following: - If any staff member / student shows any symptoms of COVID-19, it is essential that the individual stay home. Please notify the district if anyone in your household tests positive for COVID-19. - Please continue to utilize the health screener when you are scheduled to be in any of the district buildings. Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions please contact the school nurse or building administrator. Sincerely, Dr. Martin D. Handler Superintendent

IMPORTANT CORRECTION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S LETTER: The letter sent from the Superintendent regarding a COVID positive case, mistakenly identified the individual as a student. To be clear, the individual referred to in the letter was a staff member, NOT a student at the Stissing Mountain Jr. Sr. High School ... I apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

November 24, 2020 Dear Staff, Parents, and Families: We have learned that one of our students has tested positive for COVID-19. ... The individual was last present at Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School on November 13th. At the time, the individual was free of any symptoms, wearing a mask as per the District protocol, and social distancing standards were followed. Due to federal health privacy laws, further information about their identification or condition cannot be released. The facility has already undergone extensive cleaning per our current heightened cleaning protocols. Additional care will be given to further ensure all facilities continue to be thoroughly cleaned. We have reviewed this case with the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health. Given the specifics of this case, the Department of Health has advised us that contact tracing is not necessary. I ask you to please join me in wishing this individual a speedy recovery. Stay safe and be well, Dr. Martin D. Handler Superintendent

January 29, 2021 Dear Staff, Parents, and Families: Today, we have learned of a staff member at Stissing Mountain Jr. Sr. HS that tested positive for COVID-19.... The individual was last present in the district on January 14th. At the time, the individual was free of any symptoms, wearing a mask as per the District protocol, and social distancing standards were followed. Due to federal health privacy laws, further information about their identification or condition cannot be released. We have reviewed this case with the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health. Given the specifics of this case, the Department of Health has advised us that contact tracing is not necessary for this case. Please be reminded of the following: - If any staff member / student shows any symptoms of COVID-19, it is essential that the individual stay home. Please notify the district if anyone in your household tests positive for COVID-19. - Please continue to utilize the health screener when you are scheduled to be in any of the district buildings. Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions please contact the school nurse or building administrator. Sincerely, Dr. Martin D. Handler Superintendent

November 24, 2020 Dear Parents and Guardians; I am writing to share some thoughts as we approach this holiday season. First, I would like to wish you and your family all the best for the Thanksgiving holiday in this very challenging time.... I know that there were parents of high school students who were upset that the school district was delaying the transition of grades 9 to 12 to the hybrid learning format. This decision was a difficult one as it is our objective to have these students do at least part time in person learning as soon as possible. The infection rate in our area is spiking, causing not only concern about transmission among our students and staff, but also a potential staffing issue. As staff members are required to quarantine, this diminishes our ability to provide adequate staffing for the buildings. Our goal remains to have the high school students begin hybrid learning as soon as we are able to do so. When we do have a COVID contact or concern, we research the situation and then consult with the Department of Health. Once they have all of the facts they give us direction and determine our next steps. We want to assure all families that as we continue to navigate this pandemic we will follow this course of action and keep you updated as the situation evolves. Knowing that Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to gather with family, COVID has certainly thrown holiday plans and traditions for a loop. This can be discouraging for many. However, following the advice of the experts will hopefully minimize risk. As a reminder, travel and large family gathering are discouraged. Social distancing, face covering and proper hand sanitation are critical. Please be reminded that there are rules that must be followed for anyone traveling out of state. Either quarantine or COVID testing are required upon return. There are vaccines in the not too distant future. We have to get through the next several months by following the public health guidelines. Once again, the health and safety of the students in our number one concern. As always, be well and stay safe. Dr. Martin D. Handler Superintendent

November 23, 2020 Dear Staff, Parents, and Families: We have learned that one of our students has tested positive for COVID-19. ... The individual was last present at Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School on November 17th. At the time, the individual was free of any symptoms, wearing a mask as per the District protocol, and social distancing standards were followed. Due to federal health privacy laws, further information about their identification or condition cannot be released. The facility has already undergone extensive cleaning per our current heightened cleaning protocols. Additional care will be given to further ensure all facilities continue to be thoroughly cleaned. We have reviewed this case with the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health. Due to the specifics of this case, there are no individuals that will be contact traced by the District to quarantine. I ask you to please join me in wishing this individual a speedy recovery. Stay safe and be well, Dr. Martin D. Handler Superintendent

Current Vacancies Part-time Teacher Aides (Less than 20 hours per week)... Please send a letter of interest and non-instructional application to: Mrs. Julia W. Tomaine, Personnel Assistant Pine Plains Central School District 2829 Church Street Pine Plains, NY 12567 [email protected] (518) 398-7181 x1408 EOE Please send all materials by November 30, 2020