Hello, this is Ben Spitzer, Superintendent of Chautauqua Lake Central School District. I hope this message finds you and your family healthy, safe and secure during these most challenging of times. It is my intent to provide a brief summary of the school district's continued work to meet the needs of our students and their families.
Our administrative team has been working around the clock to develop, implement and monitor plans to carry forward our mission. Specifically, since last Wednesday, we have been advancing plans for Child Nutrition, Child Care and Instructional Continuity. I will spend a few minutes to update you on each of these plans, but first let me say, as you may know, by Executive Order, the Governor has extended the statewide school closure until April 15th. Therefore, CLCS will continue to be closed to students. Only essential employees critical to implementing our plans will be permitted in our school buildings.
Now let me discuss each plan in greater detail. First, the status of our Child Nutrition Plan/ As we approach Week 3 of our meal program, delivery continues Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. Please note that Friday deliveries will also include breakfast and lunch for Saturday and Sunday. Please continue to leave a container or bag outside your door during Monday through Thursday and two containers or bags for the larger Friday weekend delivery. Also, please keep all pets inside during meal drop off. Any meal requests, changes, or concerns can be directed to (716) 753-5842.
Second, the status of our Child Care Plan. As you may know, we have a long-standing partnership with the Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center, and they are currently providing quality child care to the health care workers, first responders, and other essential workers in our community. If you (or somebody you know) is in need of child care during this time, please call (716) 753-5851 for more information. Financial assistance is available. In addition, for both Child Nutrition and Childcare, you can visit our district website at www.clake.org and click on our Coronavirus information page. Many thanks go out to our kitchen and cafeteria staff, our bus drivers, the clerical staff and our building and grounds staff who are on the front lines delivering the services essential to make these plans a reality.
Finally, with respect to our plan to provide ongoing instruction to our students. Our teachers have been working to develop instructional materials and to educate our students in this new environment. Their plans and their related instructional methods are intended to focus on student equity. Teachers have been tasked to think about the quantity and quality of the work we are sending home. We do not want to overwhelm our students or parents, but at the same time, we want to be sure that we are providing our students with a meaningful experience, not just busy work. With respect to students with disabilities, our teachers and our CSE chairs have been communicating with families to ensure students with disabilities have the appropriate supports to access their instruction, while at home. The District will continue to monitor this closely and continue to provide education and related services through distance learning methods. If you have any questions, please contact (716) 753-5877. In the event that the school closure is further extended beyond April 15th, teachers are beginning to prepare additional lessons and materials. The materials will be ready by next Thursday, April 2nd and we will be dropping off these materials as part of our normal meal delivery transportation runs.
In conclusion, the administration, faculty and staff are here for you and your children. It is understandable that during this extended period of social distancing, family members may be feeling anxious, isolated and perhaps afraid. Our pupil service team and teachers reached out individually to families at the start of this closure and they remain available to students and parents. If we can assist in addressing any issues related to social emotional health for you or your family members, please reach out to your child's teacher immediately.
If you need to revisit the information in this message, it is available on our Coronavirus web page.
Thank you. Be well. CLCS loves you and your children. We are strongest together.
