Coronavirus: State Forces Schools To Give Up Spring Break

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Students and teachers looking forward to spring break in the Hudson Valley are bound to be disappointed. Guidance from the New York State Education Department clarified a mandate from Gov. Andrew Cuomo that all school districts were told to continue distance learning, child care and food distribution through spring break.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently extended school closings to April 15, at which time the situation will be reassessed regarding the new coronavirus. That extension fell in and around many school districts' spring breaks.

A letter to the community from Tarrytowns Superintendent Christopher Borsari said that, while just last Friday he had said the district would be taking spring break from April 6 through 13, it was now clear that the state expected schools "to use any and all scheduled vacation days to continue our Learning from Home, food distribution and childcare program, or potentially forfeit a portion or all of our remaining state aid."

Follow all the coronavirus updates in New York. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

Borsari went on to say students and teachers will continue distance learning and the student "grab and go" food distribution would continue from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday in front of Sleepy Hollow Middle School.

He acknowledged that some students and faculty will be observing religious holidays and that distance learning could be impacted.

In the City School District of New Rochelle, Superintendent Dr. Laura Feijóo had recently urged teachers and the community to use the scheduled spring break from April 6 through April 10 as a time for rejuvenation.

On Tuesday, she sent a note to parents and guardians of the change in plans.

Feijóo said child care and food distribution were already scheduled to continue, but the change impacts distance learning.

"We understand that teachers will have many questions," she said. "We are not able to answer those questions at this time as further guidance as it relates to this issue has not been provided."

White Plains schools were scheduled for spring break from April 6 through April 10, encompassing Passover, which begins at sunset April 8 and Good Friday, which is April 10.

Superintendent Dr. Joseph Ricca said the district will continue to support the children through food distribution and provide child care for first responders. And distance learning will continue as required.

Ricca said it would have been great to have a breather after the past few weeks of growing uncertainty.

"But we also understand that's not possible," he said. "We are in the middle of a national emergency, and we make it through situations like these by sticking together."

Scarsdale Superintendent Dr. Thomas Hagerman called the past few weeks difficult ones.

"Upending routines, providing instruction remotely, juggling personal and professional responsibilities and limiting social circles have all had an impact on us," he said.

Hagerman said in a letter to Scarsdale families that failing to abide by the new mandate — with the subsequent loss of state aid — could "potentially jeopardize the ongoing 2020-21 budget process in a politically and economically unstable time."

With that in mind, he said, coupled with the fact that next week is a time for religious observance for many families and staff members, the week will be used "as an opportunity for students to engage in eLearning that focuses on wellness, as well as 'catch-up' time on current assignments, stress relief, introspection and religious observance."

Hagerman said the theme for the week will be "connectedness," focusing on connecting with oneself, peers, family and the world.

Like Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.