Friday, November 2, 2012

After the Storm, School Takes a Step To Restore Normal Routine

The Bronxville School resumed classes today with a delayed start at 10 AM.  Student attendance was excellent (between 80% and 90%, depending on the school), and twelve teachers were absent for weather-related reasons. Students followed an adjusted schedule throughout the day, and food service was fully operational.

Meanwhile, the remaining furniture, equipment, and material that had been removed from the bottom floor are now back in place, and Elementary special education classes and kindergarten classes are scheduled as usual for Monday, November 5.  Next Friday's Superintendent's conference day will be held as scheduled (This day counts toward the state requirement of 180 days. As of now, Bronxville still meets the minimum requirements.)

Superintendent David Quattrone thanked the faculty and staff for their efforts to get to school and expressed concern about the larger community: "As you know, the Village as a whole is still largely without electricity, and the weather is getting colder.  These circumstances were a major factor in deciding to have school today: providing  our students with a warm environment, a hot meal, and constructive activity. We have taken a first step toward re-establishing some kind of normal routine. With so many homes without power, please be sensitive and realistic about assignments. We are extending the first quarter by two weeks."

The School is reaching out to the community in two additional ways.The cafeteria will be open for a few hours tomorrow and Sunday so that residents can have limited wireless access and recharge cell phones and laptops. Beginning Monday we are also making the fireplace room available from 9 to 3 so that senior citizens who lack electricity have a warm place to sit for a while.

Please understand that circumstances may change across the region, affecting our ability to run school.  The availability of gasoline is a major factor at the moment.  We will monitor the situation and communicate with school families through K12 Alerts and on our website.