Superintendent’s Community Update, May 27, 2021

Dear Hastings Families, Faculty and Staff,

We pause on Monday, May 31st, in observance of Memorial Day to honor our service people who gave their lives to protect our beliefs and freedoms. While enjoying the long holiday weekend with your family and friends from May 28-June 1st, please also reflect on these heroes and their sacrifices. When we return on Wednesday, June 2nd, we will have less than four weeks left in the school year. I want to thank everyone for your continued attention to upholding all of the safety protocols and practices that have kept us safe. We really appreciate it.

Vaccinations have undoubtedly reduced the number of positive cases in the Hastings community and Westchester County. To increase the number of children who are eligible to be vaccinated, Governor Cuomo announced a new program to incentivize families to vaccinate their 12-17-year-olds called the Get a Shot to Make Your Future. A student must have received their first COVID vaccine injection to be eligible to win one of 50 four-year, full-ride scholarships to any New York State public college or university. Information is provided on the Governor's website. If you are still seeking a vaccination for yourself or your 12-17 year older, please visit the sites below:

New York State Covid-19 Vaccine Website: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/
Find appointments at a State-run Site: Make an appointment at a State-run site
Find appointments at all other sites: Make an appointment at other sites

At Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting, Ms. Caraballo and Ms. Szymanski reviewed the Federal funding sources provided to school districts. Yesterday, Ms. Szymanski and Ms. Caraballo disseminated a letter inviting the community to join a committee to share and discuss ideas about how we can use the American Rescue Plan Act Elementary and Secondary Relief Funds. These slides were reviewed at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting. There is a limit to the number of people who can serve on the committee. However, you will be able to share your feedback through a survey that Ms. Szymanski and Ms. Caraballo will disseminate after the group meets next week.

Mr. Adipietro, Ms. Spirelli, and Ms. Cazes have shared details about their respective school building’s upcoming end-of-year celebrations in the Hastings Daily. To date, none of the details have changed and we will continue to follow the guidelines for gatherings provided by the New York State Department of Health. Reach out to them if you have any questions or need further clarifications.

Thank you for continuing to complete the daily COVID health questionnaire, check your child’s symptoms, and follow testing guidelines. Your efforts matter in our goal to keep everyone safe. As a reminder, please remember to keep your child home if your child is awaiting the results of a COVID PCR test or if a family member develops COVID symptoms. If your child comes to school, others will become infected.

I hope you have a safe and pleasant Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Sincerely,

Valerie Henning-Piedmonte, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools