To the Editor:

This is a letter to the Berne-Knox-Westerlo parents and community.

We have all been saying these are unprecedented times, and the cliché becomes more of a reality with new executive orders daily. Maintaining a sense of stability, while changing and shifting every day can be an exhausting challenge. I commend our students, staff, families, and community members for the resolve and discipline necessary to meet the challenge of the battle against COVID-19.

In a short period of time, we have transitioned to a new learning platform, organized a process for food delivery, and identified options for child care for those essential workers who may need it for their children. And yet, there are many new questions and issues that come up each day.

As we enter week three of a new, predominantly online learning environment for students, our faculty and staff have been working closely with colleagues across the region and coordinators from Capital Region BOCES to shift to a more long-term focus that includes instruction of new material.

Within the next week, teachers will be sharing guidelines and expectations with students and parents. Throughout the duration of the closure of school, engagement by students remains an expectation, just as attendance at school would be expected.

We are aware that not every home has internet access and we have been looking to find ways to provide access to those in need. The parking lot at the elementary school is a hotspot, as is the Berne Library. Internet service is accessible at each location.

I want to express our appreciation to my colleague, Dr. Marie Wiles, and her team at Guilderland, for their support and assistance on this issue. Before the end of this week, we will provide information about mobile hotspots we will locate throughout the district for convenience of access. Once we finalize the plan, information will be posted on the BKW website.

According to last Friday’s executive order, the governor has extended the school closure through April 15, and has reserved the authority to extend the closure further, if necessary. Each day there are conference calls among superintendents, directors, business-office personnel, and district-level instructional leaders from the entire region. We are collaborating about every aspect of school operation and efforts to support our respective communities.

I must say, even though we often have more questions than we have answers, the effort of every person is amazing. The collaboration has created a strong unity among the districts in the region, resulting in a sense of confidence to manage the uncertain with patience and flexibility. We truly are in this together and we will come out of it together, and stronger.

Thank you for your continuing support. Please reach out to your principals and teachers with any concern and please stay safe and healthy. Our students, families, and community are valuable.

Dr. Timothy Mundell

Superintendent

Berne-Knox-Westerlo