Dear Bellmore-Merrick Families,

I hope this email finds you safe, well and enjoying the summer.  As we enter the month of August, I am overcome with gratitude for the work that has been done the last two months as we prepare for the reopening of schools in September.  This morning, the BMCHSD submitted our finalized plans to the NYS Department of Education and the NYS Department of Health.  Although all NYS school district plans were due today, please note that Governor Cuomo has communicated that the final decision regarding the reopening of schools will be made by August 7th.

The Bellmore-Merrick CHSD Reopening Committee and sub-committees made up of central office and building administrators, teachers, custodians, clerical and parents have worked diligently and collaboratively throughout the entire summer to make sure that Bellmore-Merrick is prepared to begin the school year in the healthiest and safest way possible.  I would be remiss if I did not say how thankful I am to all committee members who gave up sacred summer time with their families and friends to actively participate in our reopening planning.  They have spent many hours reviewing and discussing the guidance documents and developing our Reopening Plan for the 2020-2021 school year.  In accordance with this guidance, the District has developed three options/models:

  • In-Person Learning
  • Hybrid Learning (a combination of In-Person and Remote Learning)
  • Remote Learning

The BMCHSD Reopening Plans can be found on our website and may be accessed by clicking the link below.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vRY_Ud97xZYG8k_vri8lpS9fLMXCjPD7oHhULWrWG_RGnHF-gxxJx-5S0O6SCQAkg/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

It is important to understand that this is a “living” document that will undergo changes, revisions and updates as we move closer to the start of school and as more guidance from the various agencies (Governor’s Office, NYSED, NYDOH) we rely on becomes available.  I understand that you may have additional questions:  please know that we will be reaching out early next week and will be in close communication to share plans for building procedures, transportation, technology, and health screening, among others.

On Monday, you will receive another email containing the link to an important parent survey addressing the preferred learning model and transportation.  We are going to ask families to complete the survey by Friday, August 7th.

As we all deal with this new world that has become part of all aspects of our daily lives, now more than ever we need to work together, to stay strong together in ways that benefit everyone who lives and works in Bellmore-Merrick.  We can and will continue to do many wonderful things for kids and families each and every day regardless of how those days will look.  As always, the health and safety of our students and staff remain paramount in all of our reopening decisions. Thank you in advance for your continued cooperation and support. 

Staying strong together,

Be well,

John

John DeTommaso

Superintendent of Schools

Bellmore-Merrick CHSD

(516) 992-1001