From the Principal:
UPDATED - April 6, 2020
AP Exams:
Dear Parents & Guardians:
This has been an emotional and stressful time for families, students, and our North High family. Through it all, we continue to strive to ensure that the most meaningful educational experience is provided, and that students are prepared for the upcoming Advanced Placement examinations in May.
I, along with 75,000 other teachers and administrators worldwide, attended an on-line presentation with Trevor Packer, from College Board. During this hour-long informational session, the schedule for the exams, the format, and testing conditions were provided (please see the link below).
https://apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org/students
The examinations will cover approximately the first 70% of the curriculum, require less time to complete, and will be secured through individual access protocols. The schedule created by College Board avoids potential conflicts for students and provides alternative dates for students if an issue arises during the May administrations. Students are well-prepared for these examinations in their respective classes and should begin planning their preparation and study schedules. Teachers are positioned to conduct their review sessions and provide academic and emotional support as the testing period approaches.
It is important to note that given the changes in how students will take each examination, they are responsible for monitoring the established testing time allotment. Students will have a timer provided to them with each exam and there will be no flexibility provided to complete and submit their work. If students are to receive approved testing accommodations through College Board, the timing will be automatically adjusted as perthe individual student’s modifications. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the resources available through College Board that allow timed trials to allow students to grow accustomed to these changes.
If you have any questions or concerns related to the AP examination, please contact your child’s teacher and they will be happy to provide assistance.
Thank you for continued support and empathy as we move forward together through this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dan Holtzman, Ed.D.
Principal
April 6, 2020
Dear Parents & Guardians:
First and foremost, I want to express that our top priority is the mental health and well-being of our students. Our counseling team (guidance counselors, school psychologist, social worker) are available via email to answer questions and address concerns that arise and are prepared to use different interactive platforms to meet with students and you. You are encouraged to reach out should you have questions, concerns, and/or require their assistance. We understand and appreciate the focus on schoolwork; however, it is important for everyone to place emphasis on the students’ physical and mental well-being.
We have received feedback, questions, and concerns over the past two weeks and we thank you for reaching out to us and we encourage you to continue to contact teachers and departmental leaders directly if instructional or curricular concerns arise in the future.
In the interest of providing information regarding our on-line program, I want to share that I meet with department leaders regularly and attend department meetings to discuss progress, questions, concerns, with every teacher at North High. I can assure you that with each conversation, I am encouraged and confident that our teachers are providing a meaningful and thoughtful learning program for our students. Teachers are utilizing a myriad of platforms including Edpuzzle, Explain Everything, Zoom Audio, and Google Classroom, to name a few. One of the concerns that we are continuing to review is the workload given to students. The transfer of an activity from the classroom to the on-line platform can take additional time for completion. Our teachers’ intension is not to overwhelm students or their families. We are working diligently towards finding an appropriate balance.
Each day I schedule a message to arrive at 8:00 A.M. to the entire student body to keep them motivated and provide connectivity to the school. We miss them terribly and it is important that we maintain our relationship and remind them of the support mechanisms available to them. The reminder to take one day at time, take breaks, find time for physical activity, and get plenty of rest have been included as part of my correspondence.
The third quarter end date has been rescheduled for April 7. Grades for the quarter will be calculated based on data from prior to the school closure as well as the work submitted over the past few weeks. I have asked that teachers take a holistic and empathetic approach to their grade calculations. Given our circumstances and the unknown variables in each individual home, we want to err on the side of the students.
We understand and share the stress and angst you are facing with our current circumstances and we truly and sincerely hear you. As a faculty and administration, we are all in daily communication to refine and grow our practices to ensure your children are receiving the most meaningful and supportive program. Your children are and have always been our top priority and toward that end, if your child is feeling stressed or overwhelmed, please reach out to their teachers and I am confident an amicable arrangement can be made.
We have received several questions regarding Regents examinations and school events. At this time, NYSED has not provided districts with any guidance on Regents exams. In terms of school events, we are awaiting guidance from the governor about the reopening of schools. As information becomes available, we will share it with you immediately. We are not positioned to reschedule events when our timeline for returning to school is unknown.
It is important to recognize the emotional well-being of your family and you and maintain social connections with friends and family through various platforms to avoid feeling isolated. The district’s website contains valuable resources complied by our district-wide psychologists and social workers focusing on mental health, and we encourage you to review it. The link below will bring you the information page on the district website.
https://www.greatneck.k12.ny.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=14419
We ask for your continued support and empathy as we move forward through these challenging times. We continue to here to support our students and their families. We need to all take this one day at a time and as things change or evolve, we will keep everyone informed. I would ask that we all continue to practice social distancing so that we may hopefully "flatten the curve" and help our healthcare system better deal with this global pandemic.
I am confident that we will get through this very difficult time – together.
Sincerely,
Dr. Holtzman
March 29, 2020
Dear Parents & Guardians,
First and foremost, we hope that you and your family are doing well. We recognize that the shift to remote learning has been challenging for students, parents, and teachers who are balancing personal and professional concerns and responsibilities. One of the most significant shifts in the move to remote learning is that both “classwork” and “homework” are now taking place in the home which creates a parent burden and gives the impression of an increased student workload. We remain sensitive to all these concerns and the social-emotional well-being of all members of our learning community. Our teachers are planning, collaborating, and implementing a variety of best practices for approved methods of remote instruction to introduce new lessons and extend student learning using their creative and professional discretion.
We also call your attention to the informational items that appear below.
- With respect to student grades:
- The 3rd marking period will now end on April 7th rather than on April 3rd. This grade will reflect work completed through the closing of school and remote learning work up until April 7th.
- Given that the date of our return to physical classrooms remains uncertain, we continue to discuss how to best approach the 4th marking period and final grades.
- Advanced Placement Exam information will be forwarded under separate cover from each of the high schools following an announcement from the College Board expected on April 3rd.
- We remind you that the following New York State assessments have been cancelled:
- Grades 3-8 English Language Arts
- Grades 3-8 Mathematics
- The NYSESLAT (for English Language Learners)
- The NYSAA (an alternative assessment for students with significant learning disabilities)
Please note that New York State has not yet made a determination with regard to Regents exam administration in June.
- During the April break (April 8-19), students will not be receiving work from their teachers. This time is intended for all to relax and recharge. If we are still home after the break, remote learning will recommence.
Please note that should schools reopen at any time, you will be notified at least 48 hours before students are to report to their building.
In closing, we ask that you continue to practice social distancing and thank you for your continued partnership during this unprecedented national emergency. We hope that you and your family remain safe and healthy.
Stay well,
Dr. Daniel Holtzman, North High School Principal
Dr. Gerald Cozine, North Middle School Principal
Dr. Christopher Gitz, South High School Principal
Dr. Gina Cartolano, South Middle School Principal
Dr. Stephen C. Lando, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education
March 20, 2020
I can only imagine what a stressful time this is for everyone; between the unknowns, the many unanswered questions, and the abrupt change to our daily routines; it is overwhelming to say the least.
The daily messages I have been sending to all students are designed to help them stay positive, focused, provide reassurance and support . As I indicated to them yesterday, as the principal of the high school it is painful for me not to have answers and quell everyone's stress. We are and will continue to do our best in this regard,
It is important that we continue to share clear and consistent messages with the students and you and provide support and guidance on promoting a positive daily routine and balance between school and self-care.
In addition, we must focus on one day at a time as we navigate through his unprecedented set of circumstances. Students are worried about upcoming school events and when the reopening of school will occur......we understand their concerns and sympathize with everyone. It is equally important that we do not play out scenarios as this will only become more stress-inducing.
The administration team at NHS has been meeting with departmental leaders and gathering feedback on how the first few days of the on-line learning has been progressing. We are all trying to find a balance between the appropriate amount of work to assign and time frame to allow for completion. We ask for your patience and we will strive to create the most meaningful experience possible.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher, specific department leader, guidance counselor, or building administrator....we are here for you and will assist in any way possible.
I realize the challenges the closure of school presents for you and we thank you for all you are doing at home.
Yours in solidarity,
Dr. Holtzman
March 17, 2020
Dear Parents,
First and foremost, we hope that you and your families are safe and well. As you were informed by Dr. Prendergast, the Great Neck Public Schools is closed until further notice. Although we cannot replicate the face-to-face classroom experience, we are in a strong position to leverage our comprehensive Instructional Technology program to provide remote education for our students. As this is new to all of us, we will need to make the most of our school-to-home partnership to provide our students with instructional continuity.
Distance learning may be delivered through synchronous (live) or asynchronous methods of instruction. Synchronous instruction (excluding videoconferencing due to privacy concerns) may include live online collaborative documents, audio, text, or chat platforms. Asynchronous methods of instruction may include posted assignments, website links to educational resources, online databases, recorded videos, screencasts, and other meaningful learning activities.
It is recommended that teachers and students maintain their structured schedules for remote teaching and learning each school day. Materials, assignments and guidance will be available online to facilitate the digital workflow; it is imperative that students check their Google Classrooms every day (Monday – Friday) to collaborate with classmates, and to keep up with daily coursework, assignments, activities, and assessments. To the best of their ability, teachers will be available to engage and respond to student and parent inquiries during regular school hours via Google Classrooms, e-mail, or other means of communication. Department heads will continue to support the learning process and are available as a resource should needs arise that your child’s teacher is unable to address. Support personnel, counselors, psychologists, social workers are prepared to use different interactive platforms to communicate with students. Administrators will make themselves available online during the regular work day to collaborate with each other, support the staff in their buildings and programs, and maintain lines of communication with parents.
Please contact your building principal via email if you have previously provided a supply of medication for your child that is currently maintained in one of our school nurse offices, and it has become necessary to return the medication to you.
In addition, please consider having your child:
- Begin the day with a good breakfast prior to the start of the regular school day;
- Complete assignments in a “school area” which is not in your child’s room to add a formality to instructional expectations;
- Take short breaks and physical movement between assignments;
- Stay hydrated;
- Clean his or her iPad/device on a daily basis;
- Unplug at a time that allows for a good night’s sleep.
For technical support, please reach out to your school’s technology staff developer.
We ask for your patience as we navigate through these challenging times. The newness to remote learning will likely cause angst and that is understandable. We are working through this together in real time and we are all here to support our students and families. As things change or evolve, the District and school will keep everyone informed.
Sincerely,
Dr. Daniel Holtzman, North High School Principal
Dr. Gerald Cozine, North Middle School Principal
Dr. Christopher Gitz, South High School Principal
Dr. Gina Cartolano, South Middle School Principal
Dr. Stephen C. Lando, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education
STUDENTS: Please check your individual Google Classroom pages for updated coursework and assignments.
