August 20, 2021 

Dear Hastings Families & Staff, 

I am pleased to broaden my weekly report beyond COVID-19. Please take a moment to review these district-wide updates for the week just ending, which signify we are racing with enthusiasm and good industry to the start of the school year. 

COVID-19 Update — 8.20.21 

To review, we will be sending at least weekly updates on how we will be managing COVID-19. We will share in each update What We Know Now and What We Are Working to Resolve. 

As of today, we have started a single, “one-stop” COVID-19 Management Update, which lists in one document the running list of approaches implemented and those still in question. The “one-stop” document may be accessed here. 

These updates pertain to our district-wide approaches for managing COVID-19. Closer to the start of school, updates specific to each school will be distributed by the building principals. 

We need to remember that COVID-19 requires flexibility and patience with necessary changes in approaches and plans. Our commitment is to promptly communicate any changes to our plans. 

In that regard, we were notified late Thursday to expect guidance from the Westchester County Department of Health (WCDOH) on masks and quarantines early next week. The WCDOH plans to align with the CDC. We also are anticipating guidance from the new Governor next week. With the leadership change in Albany, it is worth noting that we learned this morning (Friday) that the Governors of Connecticut and New Jersey will be mandating vaccinations for all school employees (with a test option), as well as masks for all students and staff. 

Leadership Team Retreat — 8.23.21 & 8.24.21 

The members of the Leadership Team will meet on Monday and Tuesday to finalize plans for the upcoming school year. General topics include drafting goals for the district and buildings (to then review with the Board of Education), beginning to review internal and external communications, establishing a system for effective coordination among and between all administrators, and finalizing COVID-19 protocols and communication mechanisms. Every district in the region has similar “launches” for Leadership. I have found it focuses us on what matters most — our students. The relationship-building also is essential. 

New Professional Orientation — 8.25.21 

Central Office and Building Leaders will come together on Wednesday to welcome and orient our new teachers and administrators. Topics will include a welcome (“Together We Are Better”), Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment, Instructional and Information Technology, Special Education, Culturally Responsive Pedagogies, Business Office Procedures, and New Teacher Induction. The full-day can be a head-spinner for new professionals, yet is an essential orientation. Selfishly speaking, I am energized by the new talent arriving to work with our students and colleagues. 

Facilities Renovations & Improvements — A Busy Summer 

With the Central Office located in the middle of the MS and HS, and with Hillside just a short hop away, I am bearing witness every day (and evening) to the extensive work of our talented and tireless Facilities Department staff, as well as the well-managed, external contractors and firms. Here are the headlines on summer work: 

● The Hillside Addition Project continues apace with completion anticipated for March 2022. This is emerging as a major win for the Hastings school district and Village.

● The Music Suite project is on schedule to be completed by the end of October.

● The Facilities Department has been working around the clock on projects throughout the District. Work includes: 

○ In the Lloyd Library, two offices have been built for our Speech and Occupational therapists, as well as a school psychologist; 

○ The library classroom has been restored to provide additional classroom space;

○ We relocated our copy and mailroom back to the main hallway in the Farragut Complex. A new office for Personnel was created in the Central Office Suite;

○ A new life skills classroom is being built in the Farragut Complex; 

○ A new sensory room and a teachers workspace was also created in the Farragut Complex; 

○ At Hillside, the team restored the Café, which had been modified last year for COVID purposes; 

○ The remainder of the front sidewalk at the Farragut Complex will be completed prior to students returning to school; and,

○ Deep cleaning of all classrooms, learning spaces, hallways, and offices. 

I hope you are taking time to rest and refresh ahead of the upcoming school year. Please be assured that we are at warp-speed in our preparations for your students. 

Be well. 

Bill

William S. McKersie, Ph.D. 

Interim Superintendent of Schools