A Message from the Superintendent 9/30

A Message from the Superintendent 9/30
Posted on 09/30/2021

September 30, 2021


Dear Argyle Central School Parents, Guardians, and Community Members,


As we finish the first month of the 2021-22 school year, I’m writing to share some important information. I’m also writing to say thank you.


Thank you for working with the district to ensure all of our students can be here, in-person, every day. And thank you for your help in our efforts to provide a learning environment that is as safe, meaningful, and engaging - for everyone.


Truthfully, I thought this pandemic would be behind us by now. I think the reality that it's not has made the start of this school year, and a return to our required COVID protocols, more frustrating than many of us had anticipated (myself included). Believe me, as a parent of a high school student, I can relate to the frustration of what we are dealing with these days.  


However, as a superintendent, I am very proud of our school community and our accomplishments here at Argyle CSD. I am impressed by and appreciative of the willingness of our students and families to take the steps necessary to ensure COVID-related interruptions and disruptions are kept to an absolute minimum. I’m so proud of our faculty and staff members who do whatever it takes to keep our school open, our community safe, and our kids here, learning in person.   


I am the first to agree that quarantining is absolutely disruptive to the education of our children. It also creates a tremendous burden on our families (finding day care, making employment arrangements, etc.) - we, as a district, are committed to doing whatever we can to avoid it.    


Our COVID mitigation plan ensures students and staff are socially distanced and wearing masks properly, which in turn, leads to a lower quarantine count whenever a positive COVID-19 case arises. I’m pleased to report that to date, this strategy has been very effective in avoiding a high number of quarantines.* This method can effectively be used in our classrooms and our cafeteria. Quarantine requirements for busing and sports present more of a challenge for school districts but we remain committed to following our established process.

 

* It’s worth pointing out that at least three schools in our county have had between 20% and 30% of their student population in quarantine at one time. Argyle has averaged roughly 1% over the same period. 


We implemented this COVID mitigation process because it allows our school community to meet three primary goals:


  1. Return all students Pre-K – Grade 12 to in-person instruction
  2. Provide a safe learning environment for all students, faculty, and staff
  3. Offer all extra-curricular, music, and athletic activities and programs for our students.

I would like to remind our families that the mask mandate, which is part of our COVID mitigation process, has not changed for our district since last November.  Since last November, masks have always been worn at all times while in the building, except while eating and during mask breaks. 


What did change, was that right before the start of this school year, NYS implemented the mask mandate for all students and staff in all schools across NYS. However, our district was already implementing this procedure, so this mandate did not change our procedures. If you have questions or concerns regarding the NYS mask mandate, please view our NYS Mask Mandate FAQ.


While we always prefer to maintain control of any decision affecting our district and community, the reality is, the district must follow all laws and mandates from the governor and elected officials who have authority over public schools in New York State. At the same time, we continue to advocate for a return of local control regarding mask mandates and other such decisions. 


Looking back over the course of the last year, one thing that continues to stand out above all else, and what has worked so well for our students and our community, was our collective willingness to put aside our differences and focus on what matters most: our kids being in school and in a productive learning environment.


For the record, I believe that not one school came close to accomplishing what our school community achieved over the last year and a half. We succeeded during difficult times because we all worked together to make it happen. I’m asking for us all to continue to work together and keep our momentum going! I’ll be the first to admit that none of this has been easy but seeing our kids here every day is absolutely worth it.


Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. I’m looking forward to a positive and successful school year for all of our students and their families.

Sincerely, 



Michael Healey

Superintendent