Athletics
Monitor all available guidance (CDC, NYS, NYSPHSAA, etc.) as well as actions within Section 2 and the Suburban Council and make recommendations related to when, and how Niskayuna interscholastic activities can resume.
Chairs: Joseph DiCaprio, Elementary Principal, and Larry Gillooley, Director of Health, Physical Education & Athletics
Building Supply & Equipment Needs
Based on all available guidance, establish a consistent and centralized approach for the procurement and provision of building supplies and equipment needs (e.g. PPE, signage, etc.) in the schools.
Chair: Jackie Carrese, Director of Science & Engineering Technology
Classroom Setup
Given the anticipation of social distancing requirements and avoiding the use of shared supplies, identify procedures and practices for how classrooms can and should be setup and how the issue of supplies should be approached by academic level and other considerations.
Chairs: Bill Anders, Elementary Principal, and Mike Kovall, Middle School Assistant Principal
Clubs/Extracurricular
Based on various operating conditions and status of reopening, identify when and how student clubs can be active and and in what capacity extracurricular activities can and should be held.
Chairs: Eric Hughes, Director of Music, and William Wales, Director of Mathematics
Communications & Outreach
Recommend communications approaches and actions that ensure timely and effective information sharing related to all aspects of reopening among staff, students, families and residents. Generate ideas and serve as a clearinghouse for suggestions to promote outreach and connections among all stakeholders.
Chair: Matt Leon, District Communications
Employee Procedures
Make recommendations related to health screening procedures for employees upon arrival to work, procedures for employees who are not in attendance related to COVID-19 (i.e. active case, exposure, etc.), PPE and social distancing expectations and communication.
Chairs: Debra Berndt and Shireen Fasciglione, Elementary Principals
Family & Guest Visitation Guidelines
Based upon all available public health guidance and district values and practices, recommend consistent visitor procedures for various phases of reopening.
Chair: Anthony Malizia, High School Assistant Principal
Food Distribution
Based upon outside guidance and requirements and local values, establish and implement a food distribution plan to meet the needs of students.
Chair: Jeff Bradt, Director of Food & Nutrition
Health & Safety Training
Based upon available guidance and requirements, establish and help implement a plan for necessary staff and student training related to COVID-19.
Chair: Tim Murphy, District Health & Safety Specialist
Instructional Equity
In all phases of reopening and instruction, develop protocols and policy recommendations to eliminate barriers to student success and ensure access to learning activities, course materials, and academic support.
Chair: Latisha Barnett, Chief Equity Officer
Instructional Planning, Design & Professional Learning
Provide for the content and delivery of virtual and live instruction, grading and report cards, reflection on 2019-20, and professional learning.
Chair: Marie Digirolamo, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
International Students
Ensure continued connection between the district and international students and host families, provide for the overall academic, social and emotional well-being of international students.
Chair: Eva Jones, Assistant High School Principal
Isolation Protocol/Tracing
Establish uniform health, safety and confidentiality protocols for the isolation of any member of the school community displaying symptoms of COVID-19 and appropriate tracing of individuals who had contact with those who have suspected or confirmed cases.
Chair: Luke Rakoczy, Middle School Principal
Medically Vulnerable Students & Staff
Establish plans to safeguard the health and safety of medically vulnerable students and staff through all phases of reopening and provide for the continued ability of individuals to access programs and services if they are unable to be on-site due to medical vulnerability.
Jessie Richards, Secondary Director of Special Education
O &M Disinfecting Protocols
Based on all available guidance and requirements, establish protocols that provide for cleaning and disinfecting to ensure schools can be safely occupied in accordance with a given phase of reopening.
Chair: Anthony Lento, Director of Facilities
Planning for Students with Disabilities & English Language Learners
For each phase of reopening, establish plans to ensure continuity of services, consistent with outside guidance and regulations, for students with disabilities and English language learners.
Chairs: Imran Abbasi, Director of English as a New Language, Social Studies and World Language, and Elizabeth Morphy, Director of Elementary Special Education
Policy
Based on the work and recommendations of the subcommittees and evolving state and federal guidance, make recommendations for policy changes to the Board of Education Policy Committee (e.g. Student Attendance.)
Chair: Kelly Jones, Director of Art & Design
Social & Emotional Support & Student Engagement (Includes Adult Mental Health)
Based on student and staff needs and in accordance with regional and community partners, identify practices and make recommendations that promote mental health resources and ensure social and emotional support for all is at the forefront of the reopening process.
Chair: John Moskov, Middle School Assistant Principal
School Events/ Activities Calendar
Develop recommendations for when and how various school activities can take place based on the status of reopening and establish an approach to developing and communicating the 2020-21 school calendar of events.
Chair: Jean Winkler, Director of English Language Arts
Scheduling & Student Attendance
Develop options and recommendations for on-site school attendance as well virtual learning schedules for various phases of reopening, and develop attendance policy/procedural recommendations in light of different approaches (e.g. rotational or staggered schedules based on grade level).
Chair: Vicki Wyld, Middle School Principal
Technology Deployment/ Support
Develop and share recommendations for how technology can be best utilized by various stakeholder groups through various phases of reopening and assist in plans for continued technology support for students, families, teachers and staff.
Chair: Henry “Gus” Geidel, Director of Information Technology
Transportation
Provide feedback on various student transportation options and ultimately assist in recommending plans for various phases of reopening in light of anticipated social distancing needs and the potential for staggered/rotational school schedules.
Chair: Mary Mabb, Director of Transportation
Use of Building Space by Staff
Given social distancing and reducing the use of shared supplies and equipment, establish protocols for shared space (e.g. faculty workrooms, staff lunchrooms, copy rooms, restrooms, etc.) to promote health and safety, while accounting for the practical needs of employees through various phases of reopening.
Chair: John Rickert, High School Principal