Attention 6th-12th Grade Parents/Guardians: Please see the attached image for information on remote instruction for Monday, January 3rd and Tuesday, January 4th.
December 31, 2021
Dear Tuxedo School Community,
I trust you have been enjoying the December Holidays and Recess and would like to wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!
As I am sure you are aware by now, the COVID pandemic has been spreading at rates that surpass all previous records. This is quite a disturbing development and I hope you are all taking the necessary precautions to protect your health and the health of your families.
While health experts did expect an increase in spread as a result of the Holidays, the actual number of reported cases is far greater than expected. Currently the positivity rate of infection is reported at 22.1% in New York State. That is not inclusive of people who have taken at-home tests. That rate is also based on those who have been able to be tested and have received a result. The lack of availability and reporting of at-home tests, the inability of some people to wait on lines, and the wait time and availability at the testing sites is prohibitive to reporting, which is likely skewing the true rate of infection downward.
At the same time we are seeing these unprecedented increases, the mitigating measures used to help contain the spread are being reduced (i.e. the period of quarantine has been generally halved from 10 days to 5).
Despite the alarming rise in the reported number of cases (now a 22.1% daily positivity rate, and 16.2% weekly rate) and the fact that even those who have been fully vaccinated and received the booster shot are contracting the infection, Governor Hochul has stated she wants schools to open to in-person instruction on January 3, 2022. We all want schools to open to in-person instruction as that is normally what is best for kids. However, at present we are facing some stark realities that are stymieing that goal.
At this time, we have no way of knowing how many of our students are infected. The governor has announced that the State will be sending an at-home rapid testing kit for each student. Those kits were scheduled to be sent to the local BOCES for distribution to schools yesterday. Not only did that not occur, but the shipment has now been delayed until either Friday, December 31st or Saturday, January 1st. Schools will not be receiving the kits until sometime on Monday, the date schools are expected to open. Once received, we need to distribute the tests to each student. We implore parents to please utilize the tests and report the results to our health office mcastricone@tuxedoufsd.org
We currently have legally mandated essential employees who have tested positive and are symptomatic as well as others who are quarantining or awaiting test results. I have no way of predicting the outcome of outstanding test results, or the trajectory of the illness of those infected, or whether any of these individuals will be well enough to report to work on Monday. We have other essential employees, whose family members are positive and are themselves awaiting test results. The news is only worsening with each passing hour. Tuxedo is a thin red line. We do not have the level of staffing that allows us to absorb the loss of key personnel and safely open to in-person instruction as others might.
In light of the circumstances described above, I have decided to open utilizing the remote option on Monday and Tuesday (January 3rd and 4th) with a wait and see approach for Wednesday (January 5th). At that time I am hoping that we will have adequate staffing and better mitigation strategy tools (i.e. the State provided at-home test kits for students) and processes in place.
Prior to the December break all staff were alerted to be prepared for remote instruction and students were directed to take their Chromebooks home as a precaution. While in-person instruction is clearly superior to remote instruction, remote instruction far outweighs no instruction. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience that this may cause, but please know that the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff continues to be our primary concern.
We will provide communications to you as we receive new information and other events unfold.
Thank you for your patience and continued support
Jeffrey T. White
Superintendent of Schools
Please check out the latest press release from the National Honor Society!
A very warm and happy holiday season to all. Please check out the latest edition of the Tornado Times using the following link: https://5il.co/13i2x
The Board of Education will hold their Regular Meeting and SMART Bond Hearing tomorrow night. Info: https://www.tuxedoufsd.org/events?date=2021-12-21&start_date=2021-12-01
Dear Tuxedo Union Free School District Community:
The Board of Education last night (December 15, 2021) voted to remove Dorothy Ziegelbauer as a School Board member. This action was taken after a thorough investigation and a meticulous administrative hearing process.
To view the charges, the School Board resolutions and Findings of Fact, please click the link below:
https://5il.co/13aam
For charge one, four out of six Board Members found her guilty.
For charge two, five out of six Board members found her guilty.
The Board of Education removed Ms. Ziegelbauer by a vote of 4-2.
The Tuxedo Union Free School District Board of Education and its Administrative Team will continue to move the District forward.
Thank you.
Daniel Castricone
School Board President
Members of NJHS Participated in a Community Light Parade
A Light Parade was held in Eagle Valley on December 12, 2021. The purpose of the parade was to help fill the shelves at Sloatsburg Food Pantry. Each participant had to bring a bag of groceries and spectators were asked to donate an item or two. The first ever Eagle Valley Parade brought in over 100 bags of groceries and dozens of supermarket gift cards.
The following National Junior Honor Society Members participated: Chris Ahart, Jameson Brooks, Christopher Chacko, Abdullah Khan, Will Sandak, Logan Saari-Poznanski, Francesco Stillo, and Quentin Hubner from ASP. After brainstorming, the boys designed and created a “Santa’s Workshop” scene. They made their own props, decorated a truck for their float, and dressed up like elves. The boys had a great time while participating in a wonderful community event that gifted far beyond their neighborhood streets.
Congratulations to Senior Cristal Pichardo, Junior Juliana Scanlon, and Sophomore Vanessa Duarte on being named to the Section IX Class D All County Teams! Juliana Scanlon and Vanessa Duarte were named to the First Team, and Cristal Pichardo was named to the Honorable Mention team. We are very proud of you and the hard work you put in this season!
Please check out the December edition of the George Grant Mason School Newsletter.
English: https://5il.co/12vwn
Spanish: https://5il.co/12vwo
Last month, District Consultant, Dr. Steven Kussin, gave a presentation at the Board of Education meeting on the creation of a new master schedule in the high school. View his presentation and reach out to him with your comments!
https://5il.co/12vfa
The Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, December 15th at 7pm. The Regular Board of Education Meeting and a SMART Bond Hearing will be held on Tuesday, December 21st at 7pm. Additional Info: https://www.tuxedoufsd.org/events
Please check out the following link for information on the PTO's Spirit Wear Sale! https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/organizations/tuxedo
GGM Families! Please see the attached flyer with information on the Winter Concert.
Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences are just around the corner for both GGM and GFB. Please click on the link below for information on how to sign up: https://5il.co/12g0d
Attention GFB Families: Please see the attached flyer for information on the upcoming High School Winter Concert.
Congratulations to Junior Chima O. for running in the Section 9 Championship Meet for Varsity Cross Country where he set a personal best time of 18:07. Although he took a minute and 34 seconds off his state qualifying time from 2019, he had hoped to represent Tuxedo again in the state meet; and he will be working hard toward achieving this goal next year!
Please check out the latest NHS press release!
Service, Scholarship, Leadership and Character are the tenets of the Honor Society. The National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society inducted 28 members on Thursday, November 18, 2021. The event was hosted by Advisor Ms. Jones, President Marisa Leo, Vice President Zoe Vaught and Secretary/Treasurer Eliza Vaught. The guest speaker was Ms. Jenna Park. Superintendent Mr. White, Board of Education President Mr. Castricone and Principal Mr. Reese all gave a warm welcome. Congratulations!
