Icahn Charter School 7

letter to parents June 2020.pdf  

letter to parents June 2020 spanish.pdf 

June 2020

Dear Parents/guardians:

I would first like to congratulate our graduates and their families on their graduations from Kindergarten and 8th grade. I realize that this was not the graduation all of us looked forward to and I appreciate that you understand that we are living in very difficult times. I also want to express my sincere appreciation for working with your child’s teachers during a most stressful time. I am extremely proud of our teachers, counselors and principals for providing our instructional program and support to both the children and parents.

I understand the tremendous concern that you have regarding school opening in September. My office has been working diligently to design different plans for opening. I must inform you that all plans depend on the direction from the city and state. We have received no guidance, no support, no direction from the New York City Department of Education. The New York State Regents, which is the highest authority in education in New York State has not decided if schools will open or the type of schedule that schools must follow.

I can share with you the information that we do have at this time:

1. Class size will be limited to 5-8 children and the teacher depending on the size of the room.

2. All lunch periods must be held in the classrooms.

3. Visitors/parents will not be admitted to the school.

4. Every staff member and student will have their temperature taken upon entering the building each day.

   Any one with a fever will be denied admission to the school and parents will be called to take their child

   home. Persons with a fever will be admitted only after providing a doctor’s note.

5. Since the class size is limited as stated above, it will be necessary for some students to receive instruction by way of computer at home, as they did for the last several months. They will receive the same lesson that the children in the classroom are receiving. Children at home and children in the classroom will

   rotate, most probably every two (2) weeks.

6. Obviously, this presents a very difficult situation for parents, which we fully understand and appreciate.

   There is no choice.

7. All after school programs are cancelled.

8. Seating on yellow school busses will be limited as to the number of children allowed on the bus at one

   time. Once again, we have not received any direction from the New York City Department of Education, since they have the authority over school busses.

School budgets (the money we receive from the city and state) have not been given to the schools yet. We have been told to expect severe cuts in our funding. We have still arranged for each desk to have a clear plastic shield installed, similar to what you see in many stores. Parents are responsible for providing their child with a face mask in order to be admitted to the building. You are strongly advised to provide your child with an extra mask each day. Masks must be worn by everyone in the building throughout the entire school day.

I will of course, inform you as soon as we have a definite schedule. Please check our website frequently for any current events. Please understand that we appreciate your concerns and have been working each day to try and make the best out of a very difficult situation.

As always, thank you for your wonderful children.

Jeff Litt, Superintendent