Dear South Orangetown Families,
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that New York State schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, as our state continues to battle Covid-19. District distance learning, food service and student supports will continue.
This news is deeply disappointing for all of us who had hoped to return to our schools with our friends and colleagues this spring. The end of the school year is typically a time to showcase and celebrate our students’ achievements together, as a school community. While “moving up” is meaningful at every level, our hearts go out to our seniors, the Class of 2020, who will miss the last weeks of walking the halls of Tappan Zee High School and the traditional milestone events that mark the end of a K-12 education.
We are committed to ensuring that the members of the Class of 2020 receive the recognition they have earned. TZHS Principal Rudy Arietta has been meeting with students, faculty and PTA leaders regarding senior celebrations and will update families within the next week.
The governor’s announcement also enables our Administrative Team to move forward with finalizing and implementing contingency plans for closing out this school year and preparing our students for what’s next. In the coming weeks, you can expect webinars from the TZHS Counseling Department and virtual incoming student/parent orientations for both Cottage Lane Elementary School and South Orangetown Middle School.
It has been a difficult two months for us all, but this crisis is not over. We must remain focused on keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe and working to the best of our abilities to support our students academically, physically and social-emotionally.
Should your child or family need help, please contact the District Hotline at socsdcares@socsd.org or (845) 680-1025, 9AM-3PM, Monday through Friday. In addition, the New York State Office of Mental Health’s Emotional Support Hotline provides free and confidential help for callers, 8AM-10PM, 7 days a week at 1+ (844) 863-9314.
Sincerely,
Robert R. Pritchard, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools