Dear Bronx Science Families,
This has been a very anxious time for all of us as our city, country, and Bronx Science community faces the spreading of the recent Coronavirus. While all decision-making and policy related to NYC public schools comes from the DoE, we have been in daily contact with the school administration sharing your concerns and offering PA assistance.
Parents, please keep up the good work of following the science, not the fear. We can support each other during this difficult time. If you have individual concerns, please reach out to us here. Read the latest Coronavirus updates from the DoE here.
There is much that is unknown, which makes us all anxious, but here is what we know:
1) The entire school staff cares deeply about the welfare of all our children. However, you as a parent/guardian must make whatever decisions you feel are in the best interest of your child. Absences of students whose parents keep them home out of concern for COVID-19 will be handled the same as other excused absences. Homework and assignments are posted on PupilPath, or students can obtain them directly from their teachers, and their teachers will work with students when they return to catch up. You can email the school here to report your child’s absence.
2) Out of an abundance of caution, we have canceled our PA-provided Staff Appreciation Dinner and PA merchandise sales that would normally take place during the spring Parent Teacher Conferences.
3) The school’s custodial staff has been working tirelessly to clean our school to the standards of the NY State Department of Health. Parents can encourage and thank our custodians here. You can also help by asking your students to do their part by cleaning up after themselves. If they do this, it will allow the custodians to do a more thorough job elsewhere.
4) Parents can help keep our custodial team well supplied. The school needs: Purell Hand Sanitizer, Lysol wipes and Lysol spray, and paper towels. Parents or students can drop off items at the main security desk in the lobby of the school.
5) The PA has a new Health & Wellness subcommittee. We have requested, and are still looking for, parent volunteers who are first responders, or who have professional expertise in epidemiology, medicine and public health. If you are interested in participating in the work of this committee, please email us here. This subcommittee met last week and plans to meet again this week to offer recommendations to the PA and the school administration.
6) This situation changes on a daily, even hourly, basis. As such, please watch your email inboxes for school communications and updates. If you are concerned that the school does not have your correct email address, please reach out to Cindy Golan, the Bronx Science Parent Coordinator here.
We recognize that you may have further questions that neither the school nor the PA can answer, and we know that is frustrating. We must do the best we can to remain calm but vigilant; together, we will get through this Bronx Science!
Stay safe everyone!
Rebecca Barreras and Lisa Brody
PA Co-Presidents, president@bxsciencepa.org
